Cops accused of misbehaving with executive magistrates

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Puri: While word spread of some policemen allegedly molesting women devotees near the Srigundicha temple, accusations came that several senior cops have misbehaved with government officials who had been entrusted with magisterial powers during this year’s Rath Yatra.
As per complaints, senior cops misbehaved with at least four executive magistrates and prevented them from doing their duties. A written complaint has been lodged with district collector Aravind Agarwal. Agarwal Thursday initiated a probe into the allegations. He also recorded the statements of two executive magistrates and as many number of police officials.
“I have received a complaint regarding police misbehavior towards some executive magistrates. We will listen to both sides to ascertain matters and stern action will be taken against the guilty. We will also examine CCTV footage to verify the allegations,” Agarwal said.
The district administration had deployed Begunia tehsildar Nilu Mahapatra, Padmapur tehsildar Sukadev Behera and Nayagarh tehsildar Pratap Chandra Beura to perform magisterial duties near the Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalan chariots on the Grand Road soon after completion of Adharapana ritual Wednesday night. Penthakata marine police station in-charge Ajay Kumar Jena who was deployed near the chariots allegedly prevented Mahapatra and Behera from performing their duties when the duo reached the spot at midnight. Jena reportedly misbehaved with the two executive magistrates even after verifying their identity cards.
Behera said, “I had walked three kilometers to reach the Taladhwaja chariot to perform magisterial duties at midnight. But a police officer misbehaved with me and prevented me from performing my duty.” Jena denied the allegation and claimed that the two executive magistrates left the place before he could verify their identities. “I could not recognize the two officials. They left the place immediately while I was in touch with my seniors to verify their identity.”
It has been alleged that a constable misbehaved with the district land acquisition officer and executive magistrate Prashanta Jena near Srigundicha temple during Bahuda Yatra July 3.