Jagatsinghpur: Suspended Sub-Inspector Amit Kumar Padhi, who had been evading arrest for nearly four months, was apprehended in Andhra Pradesh by a special Jagatsinghpur police team.
The officer, originally from Balasore and stationed in Puri, was wanted for allegedly marrying a Class 10 girl student (15/16 years) of Jagatsinghpur district after developing a relationship with her on Facebook and torturing her. Padhi had been on the run since a non-bailable warrant was issued against him.
Following a tip-off, police raided a location in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday and arrested him. He is expected to be brought to Jagatsinghpur for questioning.
The case resurfaced after the minor’s mother accused the police of inaction for over three months and claimed Padhi had threatened her daughter with a false case. An audio clip of the alleged threat spurred police to intensify the investigation.
In a purported audio clip, which went viral, the investigating officer (IO) Dilip Kandi was heard threatening the victim’s mother, sparking outrage and calls for justice.
According to the complainant, Padhi befriended the girl via social media, forcefully married her in a temple in Balasore despite knowing she was underage. He even forced her to tell others that he was 22 years old. But later he demanded dowry while subjecting her to physical and mental abuse.
The victim eventually returned home, prompting her family to file a case with Jagatsinghpur police.
On the basis of the written complaint, a case was registered at Jagatsinghpur Town police station and the ASI was booked under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act along with other charges. The other accused family members of Amit surrendered before a local court as per an order of the high court and got bail.