Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Home Department has directed suspended IPS officer Rajesh Pandit to submit a written statement of defence amid a proposed inquiry on charges framed against him within 30 days.
Pandit, an officer from the 2007 batch, was suspended on July 30 on charges of grave misconduct and misuse of his power as DIG, Fire Services & Home Guards, amid allegations that he forcibly entered a married woman inspector’s house and misbehaved with her on July 27.
“He is directed to submit his written statement of defence within 30 days from the date of receipt of this memorandum and also to state, if he desired, to be heard in person. He is informed that an enquiry will be held only in respect of those articles of charge that are not admitted. He should, therefore, specifically admit or deny each article of charges. He is further informed that if he fails to submit his written statement of defence on or before the specified date nor appears in person before the Inquiring Authority or otherwise fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of Rule-O8 of the AIS (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969 or orders/directions issued in pursuance of the said rules, the inquiring authority may hold the enquiry against him ex-parte,” the notification issued on August 27 said.
Also Read: Senior Odisha IPS Officer Rajesh Pandit Suspended For ‘Misbehaving With Woman Cop’
This came days after informed the department informed about an inquiry proposed over gross misconduct by two senior IPS officers, DS Kutey and Ashish Kumar Singh, during 2024 simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha.
Also Read: After EC Rap, IPS Officers D S Kutey, Ashish Singh Face Probe Prospect
