Bhubaneswar: A former news anchor was arrested on Friday in Bhubaneswar for allegedly harassing and threatening a senior official, according to the Khandagiri Police.
The case was registered on 5 October following a written complaint by Deb Narayan Sethi, aged 54.
According to the police, accused, Sribatsa Dhal, who had been working with a local news channel since 2020, reportedly subjected the complainant to repeated harassment. On 11 August, during a meeting in the CEO’s chamber regarding a complaint raised by a female anchor, Dhal allegedly entered the room in an angry state, used abusive language, and threatened Sethi and others present, publicly humiliating him in front of onlookers in the lobby.
Dhal had previously been suspended for similar misconduct and was terminated from his job on 15 August. Since his dismissal, he is accused of posting defamatory content about Sethi on social media platforms including Facebook and YouTube, further subjecting the complainant to public abuse and defamation.
Based on preliminary evidence collected during the investigation, the police confirmed Dhal’s involvement in offenses under Sections 351(2) and 296 of the IPC as well as Sections 3(1)(r) and (s) of the SC & ST (POA) Act. Acting on reliable information, Khandagiri Police arrested him today from Sri Kshetra Vihar in Khandagiri. Following all legal formalities, he was produced before the court.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing. Sribatsa Dhal, aged 43, is the son of the late Upendranath Dhal and a resident of Plot No.73, Satabdi Nagar, Unit No.8, P.O-Baramunda, Bhubaneswar, Khurda district. During the course of the investigation, police have seized the complainant’s caste certificate along with Dhal’s appointment letter and salary certificate.
