A formal police complaint filed by former Balasore district jailer Pradipta Kumar Mahalik against former prisons director general Susanta Kumar Nath has triggered a preliminary inquiry into allegations that an undertrial was targeted in a false drugs case.
Mahalik, 50, submitted the complaint at Capital police station on Tuesday, days after writing to the home department about the alleged pressure to frame inmate Rajiv Lochan Das. The complaint names Nath and associates in connection with the alleged attempt to plant brown sugar in the inmate’s pocket.
According to Mahalik’s complaint, the alleged conspiracy was planned in October. He claimed that Nath and his associates threatened him with “dire consequences” if he refused to carry out the alleged order. Mahalik further alleged that his refusal led to his suspension.
The allegations have not been established. Police said they were examining the complaint before deciding whether to register a formal case. “We have received the complaint and are verifying the claims through a preliminary inquiry. If prima facie evidence emerges, a formal case will be registered,” DCP Saravana Vivek M said.
The complaint places the focus on the accountability mechanisms governing prisons and the treatment of undertrial prisoners. It also raises questions about the safeguards available to jail officials who allege that they were pressured to undertake unlawful action against inmates. The supplied report does not provide details of the suspension order, the alleged drug seizure, or the current status of Das’s case.
Nath could not be reached for comment. The police inquiry will determine whether the allegations disclose sufficient prima facie evidence for registration of a formal case. Until then, the claims remain allegations contained in Mahalik’s complaint.
