Bhubaneswar, May 14: The Odisha Home Department on Wednesday placed Aska Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Santosh Kumar Jena under suspension with immediate effect following serious allegations that he failed to pay for gold ornaments purchased from a jewellery shop in Aska.

According to sources, a local jeweller had lodged a complaint alleging that the SDPO had taken gold ornaments from his shop but did not clear the payment despite repeated requests. The shop owner reportedly submitted complaints to the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell seeking action in the matter.

The controversy gained attention after the jeweller allegedly uploaded a video on Facebook detailing the incident. However, the video was later deleted, and the shopkeeper subsequently deactivated his social media account.

Following the allegations, the Odisha Home Department sought a detailed report from the Ganjam Superintendent of Police. Based on the findings submitted by the district police administration, disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the officer.

In an official notification, the Home Department stated that Santosh Kumar Jena, an Odisha Police Service (OPS) officer serving as SDPO of Aska, has been suspended under Rule 12(1) of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962, pending disciplinary proceedings.

During the suspension period, Jena’s headquarters have been fixed at the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Southern Range, Berhampur. He has also been directed not to leave headquarters without prior permission from the IGP. The officer will receive subsistence allowance as per provisions of the Odisha Service Code during the suspension period.

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