Bhubaneswar: Accused by his wife Archana Dash of domestic harassment and neglect, Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer Sarthak Saurabh Mohapatra appeared at the Mahila Police Station in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Archana, an Assistant Executive Engineer in the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, has lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Sarthak abandoned her and their newborn child just days after she delivered the baby boy at a private hospital on May 10. She alleged that Sarthak never came to extend support her and the baby after becoming father.
She said they had got married on February 21 last year. Her lawyer said that the complaint names the OAS officer, his sister and mother, who had been mentally torturing her since their marriage.
After appearing at the police station, Sarthak refuted the allegations made by his wife. He, on the other hand, accused Archana of subjecting him to mental harassment and using their child for emotional blackmail.
Sarthak, accompanied by his lawyer, appeared before the police and submitted related documents at the police station.
The bureaucrat told reporters that his wife created hindrance in supporting his mother and sister and a dispute was on between two over the issue. “However, domestic disputes should not be placed before the media. I was undergoing mental trauma,” he said.
Stating that he expected the situation to improve after the birth of the baby, he said he took care of his wife at the hospital during the delivery of the baby.
Terming Archana’s allegation that the baby suffered malnutrition due to her stay in his house, Sarthak said the weight of the baby was normal and such baseless allegations only hurt the sentiments.
He further clarified that he had left the hospital for a brief period as his mother was unwell and she required medical attention. “When I returned to the hospital, I faced chaotic scenes as my wife asked me to choose between my mother and my child,” he said.
“I haven’t met my child properly, as I fear that she might become hyper and create an untoward situation. For my safety, I haven’t met my child. However, I want to meet the baby through a formal channel. I am ready to take the responsibility of my child, but in a formal setting like a court order,” said the bureaucrat.
“I am not Atul Subhash. I will fight till the end. I have faith in the Court and in Lord Jagannath. I had filed a complaint at the Airfield police station in May, but it failed to yield any result. From this, it is clear who is using influence and power,” he stated.
Police have launched preliminary investigation into the allegations and are likely to summon others named in the complaint in connection with the probe.