Bhubaneswar: DG Police, Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) Odisha, has issued a notice to senior Odisha-cadre IPS officer, NB Bharathi who has been absent from duty since 2017. Bharathi has been asked to reply within 15 days, failing which proceedings against her would be disposed off ex-parte.
Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against her by the Odisha Home Department in 2017 and an inquiry was held in 2020. However, she failed to attend the proceedings despite repeated notices to her. Hence, proceedings continued ex-parte.
After the enquiry, Bharathi was held guilty on charges of gross misconduct, disobedience of lawful order and dereliction of duty. The Home Department sent a notice in 2022 with the copy of the inquiry report in which she was called upon to submit her written representation or submission.
Copy of inquiry report along with enclosures were sent to her through registered post in her three available addresses in 2022 with a request to return the second copy with her acknowledgement, but two letters returned undelivered, sources said.
Bharathi, a 1998-batch IPS officer posted as IGP, HRPC. She is absent from duty since 2017, without any prior intimation or leave application.
