Bhubaneswar: Senior IPS officer Dayal Gangwar, who had been embroiled in a controversy following the Balianta lynching case over allegedly engaging railway constable 32-year-old Soumya Ranjan Swain for non-official duties, has been placed under suspension. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued the directive on Thursday evening.
The reason: A confidential report from Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) regarding unauthorised retention of government personnel. “… the Director General of Police, Odisha has submitted a confidential report regarding retention of eight GRP personnel by Dayal Gangwar, IPS (RR-1998), former ADGP (Communication), Odisha (at present OSD, Home Department) for work in his residence, even after his transfer from the post of ADGP Railway & Coastal Security without approval of the competent authority,” the suspension order issued by the Home Department read.
It further noted that “disciplinary proceeding” is being contemplated against the IPS officer “on the grounds of grave misconduct”. His headquarters have been fixed at the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack, and he requires permission from the DGP to leave the station. He will receive subsistence allowance as per rules, subject to certification that he is not engaged in any other employment, the order added.
The suspension was initially announced by the Chief Minister’s Office on Thursday night, with a brief statement without elaborating on the grounds for action. “Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has suspended Dayal Gangwar, OSD in the Home Department,” the CMO release said.
Gangwar was previously shifted from the post of ADG (Communication) to OSD in the Home Department on May 25, a move viewed as punitive. The suspension followed his questioning by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) during its probe into Swain’s murder and alleged misuse of position.
Swain’s family had earlier accused Gangwar of harassment and exploitation, claiming that he was forced to work as domestic help while the officer served as ADGP (Railway) in 2023–24. The Government Railway Police (GRP) recently submitted a report to the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of Odisha police, alleging that Swain was illegally engaged in Gangwar’s domestic work.
Swain was lynched by a mob on May 7 after allegations that he attempted to rape a 22-year-old woman. The incident occurred in the presence of police personnel, leading to the suspension of four officers and the transfer of Balianta inspector-in-charge. So far, 18 people have been arrested in the case.
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