Bhubaneswar, 03 November (H.S.): Former Odisha Prisons Director General (DG) and senior IPS officer Susanta Kumar Nath has landed in fresh controversy after a suspended Balasore jailor accused him of pressuring him to falsely implicate an undertrial prisoner in a brown sugar case.

The allegation was levelled by Pradipta Mahalik, the suspended jailor of Balasore District Jail, who has written to the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department seeking revocation of his suspension.

In his representation, Mahalik alleged that Nath had pressured him to frame an undertrial prisoner in a brown sugar case. He claimed that he was suspended after refusing to comply with the alleged demand.

Seeking justice, Mahalik has urged the Home Department to withdraw the suspension order and take appropriate action in the matter.

This is the latest controversy surrounding Nath, who is already facing allegations of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and threats to life and career levelled by former Choudwar Circle Jail jailor Santoshini Dash.

Based on Dash's written complaint, police registered a case against Nath at Choudwar police station in Cuttack district under Sections 75(2), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). She had also alleged that associates of the IPS officer were involved in intimidating her.

Following the registration of the case, the State Government transferred Nath and posted him as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Home Department.

Meanwhile, Nath has approached the Orissa High Court seeking quashing of the police case registered against him. He has also sought legal protection in connection with the matter.

The fresh allegations by the suspended jailor have added another dimension to the controversy surrounding the senior IPS officer. However, the allegations made by Mahalik are yet to be independently established.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda