Odisha Police Face Heat After 23-Year-Old Dies Inside Dabugaon Lock-Up

The Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) has suspended the inspector in charge (IIC) of Dabugaon police station in Nabarangpur district over alleged dereliction of duty and gross misconduct in connection with the custodial death of a 23-year-old man that sparked violent protests and demands for a judicial probe.

According to an official order issued by DGP Y B Khurania , Dabugaon IIC Raghunath Majhi has been placed under suspension with immediate effect pending disciplinary proceedings. The order stated that the action was taken in the interest of public service. During the suspension period, he will remain under the disciplinary control of the DIG of Police, South Western Range (SWR), Koraput, and will receive allowances as per Odisha Service Code provisions.

The latest action comes after sub-inspector Bikram Sahu and OAPF personnel Karn Pujari and Budhiram Majhi were earlier suspended following preliminary findings that reportedly indicated negligence in the case.

The deceased, Purna Kalar , a resident of Anchala village under Medana panchayat, had been arrested in connection with the alleged abduction and assault of a minor girl. Police said he was lodged in the lock-up and was later found hanging inside the police station toilet on April 29, allegedly using a bedsheet tied to a ventilation frame, hours before he was to be produced in court.

However, Kalar’s family and villagers rejected the police version and alleged that he was assaulted in custody and that the death was later projected as a suicide. The incident triggered widespread outrage in Dabugaon, with angry protesters blocking the Umerkote-Nabarangpur road, surrounding the police station and pelting stones and bottles. At least three police personnel were reportedly injured in the violence, following which two platoons of police force were deployed in the area to control the situation.

The family also alleged that the body was shifted to Nabarangpur District Headquarters Hospital for postmortem without prior intimation to them. Police said the autopsy was conducted under magistrate supervision as part of the investigation.

Nabarangpur SP Sanddep Sampad Madkar said prima facie evidence suggested negligence by the suspended officials, while senior officers have assured a detailed inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the custodial death. Authorities are yet to announce the final findings of the probe or any compensation for the deceased’s family.