Bhubaneswar, 25 September (H.S.): The Odisha government on Friday suspended Additional Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department Arun Kumar Biswal and Kataka Circle Jail Superintendent Sujit Kumar Raul following their arrests in separate cases.

The suspension orders were approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, according to an official press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

Biswal, a senior Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer, was arrested following a complaint by a woman employee alleging rape and assault in Bhubaneswar. He is currently in judicial custody, the release said.

Raul, Superintendent of Kataka Circle Jail, was arrested in connection with an alleged forgery and record-tampering case following the escape of two murder accused from the prison in October last year. He is also currently in judicial custody.

Under applicable government service rules, both officers were suspended after remaining in custody for more than 48 hours following their arrests.

The concerned departments initiated the suspension process in accordance with the applicable service rules, following which the proposals were placed before the Chief Minister for approval.

The government clarified that the two cases are separate and that the suspension orders were issued following the officers’ arrests and continued detention in custody.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda