BHUBANESWAR: A DSP-rank officer in Nayagarh district has been booked on charges of alleged sexual harassment of a woman complainant, prompting the SP to remove him from the post of sub-divisional police officer of Khandapada on Tuesday.The action follows a complaint lodged on April 13 by the 31-year-old woman from Nayagarh district. In her complaint, she alleged that SDPO Madan Mohan Pradhan sought sexual favors after she met him to inquire about the progress of a case she had filed in July 2025 against a couple, who were her neighbours. “On July 3, 2025, I had lodged a complaint against the couple for attacking my minor son over a past dispute. My son was seriously injured, and a case was registered against them,” she said.During the probe, one of the accused was slapped by a police officer, which prompted them to approach SDPO Pradhan. “The SDPO called up and asked me to work out a compromise with the accused. I agreed, and a final report was submitted to the local court,” she said. He started calling her and speaking inappropriately.“He insisted I meet him in a hotel, sent vulgar messages, and threatened to implicate me and my husband in false cases unless I complied. I have voice recordings of his conversations,” she claimed.Following her complaint, Nayagarh SP (in-charge) Vivekananda Sharma conducted an internal inquiry and reportedly found evidence against the SDPO, who in his explanation rubbished the charges.A case was registered under BNS Sections 296 (obscene acts/songs), 75(2) (sexual harassment), 78(2) (stalking) and 351(4) (criminal intimidation) against Pradhan on Monday.“In view of the sensitive allegations and registration of a case against the Khandapada SDPO, he has been withdrawn from the post and transferred to district police headquarters with immediate effect. Sudipta Kumar Sahoo, DSP headquarters, is the new SDPO Khandapada,” Satyabrata Bhoi, in-charge IGP (central range), told TOI. It is learned that Pradhan faces imminent suspension.
