Bhubaneswar: Former Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Talachua Marine Police Station in Kendrapara district, Sandhyarani Jena, is now facing a departmental inquiry over allegations of custodial torture of a 55-year-old woman and her 31-year-old son at the police station in May this year.
Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Vinaytosh Mishra has ordered a proceeding inquiry against Jena in connection with the alleged third-degree torture of the mother-son duo.In an official order, the DGP stated that the departmental proceeding has been initiated against Jena on charges of gross misconduct, abuse of official position, dereliction of duty, suppression of evidence and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
The DGP has appointed Kendrapara Additional Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhakar Sahoo as the Enquiry Officer and Gopinath Pradhan, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), IUCAW, Kendrapara, as the Marshalling Officer. Both officers have been directed to conduct the inquiry expeditiously and submit their findings within 45 days.
Jena, currently serving as an Inspector in the Crime Branch (CID-CB), Odisha, allegedly assaulted, intimidated and misbehaved with Annapurna Mandal and her son Ananta Mandal inside the Talachua Marine Police Station premises on May 25, 2026, during a discussion over a family dispute.
According to the allegations, Jena, who was then heading the police station, used criminal force against the mother and son, abused them in filthy language and threatened them with dire consequences.
Following a complaint by the victims, the incident drew widespread criticism and prompted the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). Subsequently, the then Kendrapara SP Siddharth Kataria ordered a probe into the allegations. Jena was later suspended on charges of misconduct and dereliction of duty.
