Post News Network
Kakatpur/Puri, Jan 11: Kakatpur police station inspector-in-charge Srikant Kumar Barik was arrested on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman constable and was forwarded to court Sunday.
Barik was remanded in judicial custody after his bail petition was turned down by the court.
According to Puri district superintended of police Asish Kumar Singh, the accused has been facing a departmental probe and he has been suspended.
According to a complaint lodged by the victim, a Dalit, she was on sentry duty at the police station Friday night when the accused molested her.
The victim met Singh Saturday and submitted a complaint besides lodging an FIR with Kakatpur police.
A five-member committee of officials led by additional SP Jagannath Pradhan visited the police station and conducted an inquiry. On the basis of preliminary findings, the accused was suspended.
Police station in-charge of Astarang, Rabi Narayan Bhanj, was given additional charge of Kakatpur station following the suspension.
A case has been registered against him for outraging the modesty of a woman colleague and making obscene remarks against her, Singh said, adding, the accused was also booked under Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Sources said Barik was serving as a sub-inspector at Kumbharpada police station before taking charge of Kakatpur police station, March 10 last year. He was posted to Malkangiri prior to these assignments.
