Bhubaneswar, July 31: In a deeply disturbing case from Bhubaneswar, senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer Sarthak Saurabh Mahapatra has been accused of abandoning his wife and newborn son in a hospital just days after childbirth, police said on Thursday.

Mahapatra’s wife, Archana Das, an Assistant Executive Engineer in the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, filed a formal complaint at the Mahila Police Station in Bhubaneswar, alleging mental cruelty, neglect, and domestic abuse.

According to Archana, the couple got married in February 2014 with the consent of both families. She gave birth to a baby boy on May 7. However, on May 10, her husband allegedly left the hospital without acknowledging the child or supporting her during recovery. She claimed to have been discharged alone and has not received any communication from him since.

Archana further alleged that she was subjected to mental harassment by her in-laws shortly after marriage. Despite hopes that the birth of their child would mend the relationship, she said the abuse continued. Her complaint includes accusations against her mother-in-law and sister-in-law for sustained emotional torture and pressure to isolate her from her husband.

The situation escalated when Mahapatra allegedly threatened her with divorce, prompting Archana to seek legal recourse. Her lawyer stated that multiple attempts were made to resolve the matter amicably, but Mahapatra remained unresponsive. The police have registered a case and initiated an impartial investigation.

Mahapatra currently serves as Deputy General Manager at the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA). The case has sparked public outrage, raising serious questions about accountability and ethical conduct among public servants.

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