Odisha sub-inspector sends youth to handle case on his behalf, suspended

When questioned, he reportedly claimed to be from the police’s special branch. Unable to produce a valid identity card, he was detained by the locals, who then alerted the police.

Written by Sujit Bisoyi

Bhubaneswar | October 10, 2025 07:41 PM IST

2 min read

Villagers became suspicious when the young man allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 to “settle” the case (File Photo)

A police sub-inspector in Odisha’s Bhadrak district has been suspended for allegedly sending an imposter to investigate a complaint on his behalf.

The officer, identified as Kartik Jena, was posted at the Bhadrak Rural Police Station. According to police, Jena was assigned to inquire into a family dispute at Rasikbaga village on Thursday but instead deputed a youth, Piyush Panda, to handle the matter.

Villagers became suspicious when Panda allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 to “settle” the case. When questioned, he reportedly claimed to be from the police’s special branch. Unable to produce a valid identity card, he was detained by the locals, who then alerted the police.

A team from Bhadrak Rural Police Station took Panda into custody and, upon questioning, discovered that he had been sent by Jena.

“An initial probe revealed that the sub-inspector had unlawfully deputed an individual to investigate the matter. He has been suspended for dereliction of duty, and the youth posing as a police officer has been detained. Further investigation is underway,” said Bhadrak Additional Superintendent of Police Arup Abhishek Behera.

Behera added that the police are probing the connection between Panda and Jena and the motive behind the sub-inspector’s actions.

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