Cuttack: Former Odisha DGP Prafulla Chandra Ratho passed away at around 1 pm at his Biju Patnaik Chhak residence here on Tuesday.
He was 85 and is survived by his wife Krushna, sons Subrat and Satyabrat and daughters Savitri and Gayatri.
Family sources said he was active till his end and died due to cardiac arrest.
Born in Andhra Pradesh to Ramesh Chandra Ratho, an ICS officer, and Roma Ratho on October 21, 1934, he studied at Ravenshaw College, Cuttack, and Presidency College, Madras. He cracked IPS when he was only 20 years old and served the police for 38 years.
Ratho was one of the longest serving DGPs of the state and held the unique distinction of being the top cop in the J B Patnaik-led Congress government and Biju Patnaik-led Janata Dal dispensation between 1986 and 1992.
Post-retirement, he served as vice chairman of Cuttack Development Authority.
He authored several books including Orissa Police Manual (Volume 1& 2), Orissa Criminal Minor Acts and Rules, Orissa Jail Manual, Orissa Narcotics Laws and Orissa Excise Laws.
People from different walks of life, including several retired and serving police officers, mourned his death. His last rites will be held at Sati Choura.
