Odisha DGP orders HRPC probe into Ganjam custodial death, 3 cops suspended
Synopsis
A 32-year-old physically disabled man died after allegedly being tortured during seven days of police detention in Odisha's Ganjam district. The state DGP has ordered an HRPC probe, three constables have been suspended, and an IPS trainee officer has been pulled from his post — one of the swiftest institutional responses to a custodial death allegation in the state in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Susant Sahu , 32, a physically disabled resident of Subalaya village, Ganjam , died on Monday at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur , after allegedly being tortured in police custody.
He was detained at Kabisuryanagar Police Station on 25 May during a raid linked to illegal stone blasting; family allege his involvement was never established.
Khurania ordered the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) to probe the case.
SI Sameer Kumar Rout , ASI Baikuntha Jena , and Constable Suman Kumar Sahu have been suspended with immediate effect.
IPS (Under Training) Nitesh Kumar Mishra , who held independent charge of the police station, has been withdrawn to District Police Headquarters pending inquiry.
All staff at Kabisuryanagar PS and Balichhai Outpost have been transferred to ensure impartiality during the investigation.
Odisha Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania on Monday, 2 June 2025, ordered the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) to investigate allegations of custodial torture that reportedly led to the death of Susant Sahu, a 32-year-old physically disabled man from Ganjam district. Three police personnel have been suspended and an IPS officer under training has been withdrawn pending further inquiry.
What Happened
Susant Sahu, a native of Subalaya village in Ganjam, was allegedly picked up during a raid at a stone mine on 25 May and detained at Kabisuryanagar Police Station for questioning in connection with a case of illegal stone blasting. According to his family, his involvement in the case was never established. He was allegedly subjected to torture during his seven-day detention.
On Sunday, Sahu was reportedly handed over to his family in a critical condition. He was first taken to Aska Hospital, then referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, where doctors declared him dead on Monday.
Disciplinary Action Taken
Acting on a preliminary enquiry, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Southern Range, Niti Shekhar, ordered sweeping disciplinary measures. IPS officer (Under Training) Nitesh Kumar Mishra, who held independent charge of Kabisuryanagar Police Station as Assistant Superintendent of Police, has been withdrawn to the District Police Headquarters, Ganjam, pending further inquiry. The Superintendent of Police, Ganjam, has been directed to post a suitable substitute.
Three personnel have been placed under suspension with immediate effect: Sub-Inspector Sameer Kumar Rout of Kabisuryanagar Police Station, Assistant Sub-Inspector Baikuntha Jena of Balichhai Outpost, and Constable Suman Kumar Sahu. Additionally, Home Guard Krushna Chandra Pradhan, who served as a driver, has been relieved of all duties, and the Commandant of Home Guards, Ganjam, has been instructed to initiate proceedings for his disengagement from the organisation.
All staff posted at Kabisuryanagar Police Station and Balichhai Outpost have been transferred to other police subdivisions to ensure impartiality during the inquiry.
Role of the HRPC
The Human Rights Protection Cell is a specialised wing of the Odisha State Police mandated to investigate sensitive human rights violation cases, including deaths in police custody. Its involvement signals that the state police leadership is treating this case as a matter of institutional accountability rather than routine internal inquiry.
'Any further criminal or departmental action will be taken based on the outcome of further enquiry into the aforementioned incident,' the IGP's order stated.
What Comes Next
The HRPC probe is now underway, and authorities have indicated that criminal charges against the suspended personnel remain a possibility depending on its findings. This case comes amid broader national scrutiny of custodial deaths in India, with the Supreme Court having repeatedly directed states to implement safeguards against torture in police detention. The outcome of the Ganjam inquiry will be closely watched by human rights organisations active in Odisha.
Point of View
Transfers, and an HRPC referral within days — reflects the political sensitivity of custodial deaths involving vulnerable persons, not necessarily a systemic shift in accountability. The more important question is whether the HRPC probe will result in criminal charges or quietly conclude with departmental penalties. India's record on custodial death prosecutions remains poor: the National Human Rights Commission logs hundreds of cases annually, but convictions are rare. Odisha's credibility on this case will hinge on whether the HRPC findings are made public and whether the suspended personnel face a court, not just a departmental proceeding.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Susant Sahu and how did he die?
Susant Sahu was a 32-year-old physically disabled man from Subalaya village in Ganjam district, Odisha. He was allegedly detained at Kabisuryanagar Police Station on 25 May during a stone mine raid and reportedly subjected to custodial torture over seven days; he was handed to his family in critical condition and died at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur on Monday.
What is the HRPC and why has it been called in?
The Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) is a specialised wing of the Odisha State Police that investigates sensitive human rights violation cases, including deaths in police custody. DGP Y.B. Khurania ordered its involvement to ensure an independent, expert-led inquiry into the allegations of custodial torture.
Which police personnel have been suspended?
Sub-Inspector Sameer Kumar Rout, Assistant Sub-Inspector Baikuntha Jena, and Constable Suman Kumar Sahu have been suspended with immediate effect. IPS (Under Training) Nitesh Kumar Mishra, who held independent charge of Kabisuryanagar Police Station, has been withdrawn to the District Police Headquarters pending further inquiry.
What was Susant Sahu detained for?
According to reports, Sahu was brought to Kabisuryanagar Police Station during a raid at a stone mine and questioned in connection with a case of illegal stone blasting. His family alleged that his involvement in the case was never established, yet he was held for seven days.
What happens next in the Ganjam custodial death case?
The HRPC probe is now underway. Authorities have stated that further criminal or departmental action will follow based on the inquiry's findings. The Superintendent of Police, Ganjam, has also been directed to transfer all station staff to other subdivisions to maintain impartiality during the investigation.
