The former Superintendent of Police of Kendrapara, Satish Gajbhiye, was suspended on Thursday over police excesses against protesters demanding arrest of self-styled godman Sarathi Baba on August 7.
The action was taken on the basis of a report submitted by Inspector General of Police (Central Range) R.P. Koche, sources said.
While the Congress and the BJP had demanded disciplinary and criminal proceedings against Mr. Gajbhiye, lawyers across the State were continuing to abstain from work in protest against his action against a fellow lawyer, who was among the protestors.
Initially, the State government had transferred him to the police headquarters as an officer without duty.
The Congress had staged a dharna in front of the office of the District Collector of Kendrapara, while the BJD had staged protest demonstrations outside police stations across the State on August 10.
Both the parties had also announced further protests demanding Mr. Gajbhiye’s arrest.
The agitating lawyers in the Orissa High Court had also threatened to boycott Independence Day celebrations if no action was taken against the IPS officer.
Meanwhile, official sources said that criminal proceedings may be taken against Mr. Gajbhiye on the basis of Mr. Koche’s report.
There have also been allegations that the IPS officer had purchased vast stretch of land in his wife’s name in Gop block of Puri district.
Allegations of excesses against protesters demanding arrest of self-styled godman Sarathi Baba
