BMC Deputy Commissioner Quizzed By Police For Employing Minor Girl As Domestic Help

Bhubaneswar/Jajpur: Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Pramod Kumar Prusty was questioned by police for allegedly employing a minor girl as a domestic help in his house.

According to sources, Pramod, who is a senior OAS officer, had kept the 14-year-old girl of Balichandrapur in Jajpur district at his residence in Sailashree Vihar in Bhubaneswar to look after his old parents-in-law in February last year. He came under police scanner after a complaint was lodged against his 88-year-old father-in-law Prafulla Prusty for allegedly raping the girl. Police have registered a case against Prafulla who is now under treatment at Capital Hospital.

Jajpur Police had summoned Pramod to appear before them for questioning on Sunday. Pramod was interrogated to ascertain whether he is liable under any other section, the sources said.

The sources said the minor girl, who is five-month pregnant, has recorded her statement before a Special POCSO Court in Jajpur. As her family’s economic condition is not sound, police have requested the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) to shift her to a shelter home.

Meanwhile, BMC sources informed that Pramod is on seven-day leave. As per the police report, action will be initiated against Pramod, the sources added.