Bhubaneswar: Kendrapara district Superintendent of Police (SP) has transferred the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Pattamundai police station, Sailendra Narayan Palai, to the district police headquarters, citing his alleged negligence in handling a case where a young woman set herself ablaze in Pattamundai.
It is pertinent to mention that a final-year Plus III student of Pattamundai College, hailing from the Kathiapada area in Pattamundai block of Kendrapara district, died after allegedly setting herself on fire by pouring kerosene on herself. She succumbed to severe burn injuries, though the exact cause behind her extreme action remains under investigation.
According to allegations levelled by the victim’s father, the 20-year-old victim had been facing relentless blackmail from a youth who had been threatening to circulate her photos and videos. Despite her repeated pleas, the police did not take any action, and the ASI allegedly advised her to block the youth’s phone number. A formal complaint regarding this issue was lodged at the local police station six months ago.
Taking serious note of the incident, the Director General of Police (DGP) has intervened directly and instructed the Kendrapara SP to visit the site without delay.
The victim’s father has made serious allegations against the ASI, claiming that his inaction led his daughter to take the drastic step. The SP has taken swift action, transferring the ASI to ensure a fair investigation into the matter.
