Senior Odisha IPS officer suspended over misconduct allegations

Bhubaneswar, July 30: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi today suspended DIG Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao of the Fire Services & Home Guards on disciplinary grounds.

Uttamrao, an IPS officer, faces accusations of misusing his authority and breaching service conduct rules. The allegations, which emerged on Saturday night, prompted the Odisha government to initiate an investigation.

Upon returning to Bhubaneswar on Monday evening from a NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi, the Chief Minister was briefed on the situation. Reacting with concern, he instructed the relevant departmental officers to take necessary action, resulting in Uttamrao's suspension.

The official notification stated that "disciplinary proceedings against Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS, are initiated due to serious misconduct as a member of the Indian Police Service. Therefore, the Government of Odisha, under the powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, places Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS, under suspension with immediate effect."

During his suspension, Uttamrao will remain at the State Police Headquarters and is prohibited from leaving without prior approval from the Director General of Police, Odisha.

Sources indicate that the suspension follows allegations that Uttamrao used his position to make inappropriate advances towards a female inspector.