Odisha CM Majhi suspends IPS officer Dayal Gangwar over GRP constable harassment claims
Synopsis
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi has suspended a senior IPS officer following allegations that he mentally harassed a GRP constable who was later lynched by a mob. The move, reportedly triggered by a probe ordered after NHRC intervention, signals rare accountability action against an ADGP-rank officer in the state.
Key Takeaways
Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi suspended IPS officer Dayal Gangwar on 19 June , confirming the action through the Chief Minister's Office.
Gangwar, a 1998-batch IPS officer of ADGP rank, was serving as OSD in the Home Department at the time of suspension.
The action is linked to alleged mental harassment of GRP Constable Soumya Ranjan Swain , who was lynched by a mob in Balianta, Bhubaneswar on 7 May .
Swain's mother alleged Gangwar assigned personal work to her son and subjected him to persistent harassment during his tenure as ADGP Railways .
The suspension reportedly follows a probe by senior IPS officer Arun Bothra , ordered after NHRC intervention.
The Crime Branch has arrested 18 accused persons in the lynching case; a search is ongoing for remaining suspects.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has suspended senior IPS officer Dayal Gangwar, who was serving as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the state Home Department, according to the Chief Minister's Office. The disciplinary action, announced on 19 June, comes amid mounting scrutiny over Gangwar's alleged role in the mental harassment of GRP Constable Soumya Ranjan Swain, who was lynched by a mob in Bhubaneswar last month.
Background: The Balianta Lynching
On 7 May, Soumya Ranjan Swain, a Railway Police Constable, was beaten to death by a mob of villagers in the Balianta area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, over allegations of sexually assaulting a girl. The brutal incident triggered widespread outrage across Odisha and drew attention to the working conditions of lower-ranked police personnel. The Crime Branch of Odisha Police is investigating the lynching and has so far arrested 18 accused persons, while a search continues for several others still at large.
Allegations Against Gangwar
Swain's mother levelled serious allegations against Gangwar, a 1998-batch IPS officer, claiming her son had been under severe mental pressure during Gangwar's tenure as Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Railways. She alleged that Gangwar not only assigned personal errands to the constable but also subjected him to persistent mental harassment. According to her account, Swain had been made to manage a gym centre allegedly owned by an associate of Gangwar in Bhubaneswar.
Government's Response and the Probe
As the controversy intensified, the state government on 25 May transferred Gangwar from his role as ADGP Communication and posted him as OSD in the Home Department. Following intervention by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), senior IPS officer Arun Bothra, serving as ADGP Railways and Coastal Security, was directed to investigate the allegations against Gangwar and submit a report. The suspension reportedly follows the findings of that probe.
What the Government Said
The state government has not yet officially disclosed the specific grounds for Gangwar's suspension. The Chief Minister's Office confirmed the action without elaborating on the disciplinary charges. The silence on official reasoning has drawn attention, with critics arguing that transparency in such cases — particularly those involving senior police officers — is essential to public trust.
What Happens Next
Gangwar's suspension marks a significant escalation in a case that has already exposed alleged misuse of authority within the state police hierarchy. With the NHRC involved and the Crime Branch probe ongoing, further accountability measures — including potential departmental proceedings against Gangwar — cannot be ruled out. The Odisha government's handling of the case will be closely watched as a test of its stated commitment to police accountability.
Point of View
If substantiated, point to a deeply entrenched culture of using lower-ranked constables for personal errands — a practice that is widespread but rarely prosecuted. The government's refusal to state official grounds for the suspension, while politically cautious, risks undermining the very transparency that makes disciplinary action credible. The real test is whether this ends at suspension or leads to formal departmental proceedings.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was IPS officer Dayal Gangwar suspended in Odisha?
Dayal Gangwar was suspended by Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on 19 June over his alleged role in the mental harassment of GRP Constable Soumya Ranjan Swain, who was lynched by a mob in Balianta, Bhubaneswar on 7 May. The suspension reportedly follows a probe ordered after NHRC intervention.
Who was Soumya Ranjan Swain and what happened to him?
Soumya Ranjan Swain was a Government Railway Police Constable who was beaten to death by a mob of villagers in the Balianta area of Bhubaneswar on 7 May, over allegations of sexually assaulting a girl. His mother subsequently alleged that he had been subjected to mental harassment and personal errands by his senior officer, Dayal Gangwar.
What role did the NHRC play in this case?
The National Human Rights Commission intervened in the matter and directed ADGP (Railways and Coastal Security) Arun Bothra to investigate the allegations against Gangwar and submit a report. That probe reportedly led to the suspension.
What is the current status of the Balianta lynching investigation?
The Crime Branch of Odisha Police is investigating the mob lynching of Soumya Ranjan Swain and has arrested 18 accused persons so far. A search is underway for several other suspects who remain at large.
What action was taken against Gangwar before the suspension?
On 25 May, the state government transferred Gangwar from his post as ADGP Communication and assigned him as OSD in the Home Department — a move widely seen as a holding measure amid the escalating controversy before the formal suspension on 19 June.
