In a prompt disciplinary move, DGP YB Khurania has suspended Inspector Sandhyarani Jena, the inspector-in-charge (IIC) of Talchua Marine Police Station in Kendrapada district. The suspension, issued by the Police Headquarters, cites severe misconduct and neglect of duty, with formal disciplinary proceedings expected to follow. During her suspension, Jena will be under the disciplinary oversight of the Inspector General of Police for the Central Range in Cuttack. The Kendrapada SP has been tasked with delivering the suspension order and compiling draft charges along with supporting evidence for the upcoming proceedings.
This action was taken just hours after serious allegations of custodial torture emerged against officers at the Talchua Marine Police Station. A mother-son pair from Giriapahi village, Annapurna Mandal (55) and her son Ananta Kumar Mandal (31), claimed they were summoned to the station on May 25 regarding a family dispute. This followed a complaint made by Annapurna’s husband, Manoranjan Mandal, at the police station on Sunday concerning a family conflict involving his wife and son.
According to their complaint filed with the Pattamundai SDPO, Annapurna alleged that IIC Jena verbally abused her, pulled her hair, slapped her, and wiped off her sindoor. She further claimed that her son was taken into a toilet, where he was severely beaten by Jena and a constable, and nearly strangled. The pair stated they were held from around 6 pm to 11:40 pm, coerced into signing blank documents, and threatened against disclosing the incident. Their mobile phone was also reportedly confiscated.
The mother and son reportedly suffered multiple injuries and were subsequently admitted to the Rajnagar community health center. Medical examinations indicated injury marks on Annapurna’s hands and Ananta’s neck, hands, legs, and back.
An inquiry into the allegations of torture and assault has been initiated by the police. This is not Jena’s first suspension due to alleged misconduct; she has previously faced suspension for incidents in Keonjhar and Jharsuguda districts, including accusations of using excessive force on a youth and improperly transferring accident victims’ bodies to another police jurisdiction.
