Bhubaneswar, July 30: In a major development, the BJP government in Odisha on Tuesday suspended senior IPS officer Rajesh Pandit for grave misconduct in connection with an incident under Capital police limits on the night of July 27.

Pandit, a 2007-batch IPS officer, had been serving as DIG, Fire Services & Home Guards since May last year.

“…A disciplinary proceeding against Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao, IPS is contemplated on the grounds of grave misconduct as a Member of the Indian Police Service. Now, therefore, the Government of Odisha, in exercise of powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, hereby places the said Shri Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao,IPS under suspension with immediate effect,” reads a notification issued by the Home Department.

During the period of suspension, Pandit will be at the State Police Headquarters, Cuttack and shall not leave the headquarters without obtaining the permission of the DGP.

What happened on July 27?

On the night of July 27, IPS officer Pandit allegedly entered the house (under Capital Police Station jurisdiction) of a married woman Inspector of Odisha Police serving at the Bhubaneswar Economic Offences Wing of the Odisha Crime Branch and misbehaved with the woman cop.

Later, a case was filed against the accused IPS officer and a departmental proceeding was initiated against him, sources said.

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