Orissa cops put their weight behind DGP

As the Rajasthan Police team continued its search for Orissa DGP B B Mahanti for the third day today, it faced opposition from the state police.

As the Rajasthan Police team continued its search for Orissa DGP B B Mahanti for the third day today, it faced opposition from the state police.

8220;We have drawn the attention of the state Government, particularly Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, to interfere in the matter for the sake of dignity of the state police,8221; said Orissa Police Association President Sawanrmal Sharma.

The association and the Orissa Sepoy, Constable and Havildar Mahasangha, in a joint meeting last night felt that frequent raids on Mahanti8217;s office and residence by Rajasthan Police had 8220;severely tarnished8221; the image of Orissa Police. It has resolved to 8220;oppose8221; their movement in the state if the Government did not take any step to stop 8220;frequent attacks on the dignity of the Orissa Police8221;, he said.

While Orissa Police Association comprises non-IPS officers, the Mahasangha is the biggest body of constables,sepoys and havildars. 8220;Together our strength is more than 40,000,8221; Sharma said.

The police personnel today submitted a petition to the DGP at Cuttack. It said Mahanti was being treated as if he had committed a serious crime. 8220;Why should a father be subjected to humiliation for the crimes committed by his adult son?,8221; it asked. 8220;The team has infringed upon the human rights of Mahanti who is ailing,8221; alleged Sharma, who said the DGP was 8220;very much present8221; in the city and 8220;undergoing treatment8221;.

The fugitive 038; the father

Bittihitra Mahanti, an MBA student, is son of DGP Home Guards and Fire Services, Orissa B B Mahanti in pic.

8226; Feb 20, 2006: German tourist arrives in India. Meets Mahanti through friends in Delhi. Both travel together to several places before going to Alwar

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8226; Mar 20: Woman alleges Mahanti raped her at a hotel in Alwar

8226; Mar 21: Mahanti is arrested

8226; Apr 12: Mahanti convicted by fast-track court in nine days. Sentenced to seven years8217; RI. Months later, Mahanti applies for parole to visit ailing grandmother

8226; Jaipur Central Jail grants him 15-day parole from Nov 20 to Dec 4, 2006. Mahanti jumps parole

8226; Rajasthan Police send notices to father B B Mahanti to appear before them in connection with his son8217;s disappearance. The DGP does not appear

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8226; Jan 10, 2007: Rajasthan Police lodge FIR at Lal Kothi Police Station in Jaipur against Mahanti and his father for abetting his act. Apprehending arrest, B B Mahanti moves Orissa High Court with two petitions8212;for anticipatory bail and quashing of FIR

8226; Mar 1: Orissa HC gives little over a month8217;s protection from arrest to Mahanti and disposes of petition, saying he may surrender before CJM Jaipur within six weeks. If arrested within the period, he must be left on bail immediately, it said. Rajasthan Government moves Supreme Court against order

8226; Apr 9: SC issues stay on Mahanti8217;s arrest for six weeks with deadline ending on May 21, 2007

8226; May 14:, SC does not extend further protection to Mahanti. Adjourns hearing on Rajasthan Govt8217;s petition to after summer vacation

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8226; May 21: Rajasthan Police file application with a local court, seeking NBW against Mahanti. Court refuses, advises police to arrest him

8226; May 27 and May 28, 2007: Two separate teams of Rajasthan Police arrive in Cuttack. Find that top cop, who was attendingoffice till Saturday is on leave on medical grounds. Team search his office, house and hospitals in the city, but Mahanti is still untraceable

8226; Meanwhile, Mahanti has filed writ petitions in the Rajasthan High Court, seeking anticipatory bail and quashing of FIR. The petitions are yet to be taken up for hearing

Where is Bitti, is still a mystery