Nayagarh: A woman has accused Sujit Kumar Das, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Sarankul Police Station in Odisha's Nayagarh district, of sexually harassing her on the pretext of providing her justice.

The woman on Wednesday approached the Nayagarh Superintendent of Police (SP) and submitted a written complaint against the IIC.

According to the complainant, she and her family have been facing social boycott and harassment in their village. She alleged that villagers had assaulted and tortured them on several occasions, including in the presence of police personnel. Seeking justice, she had gone to the police station, where the IIC assured her of assistance.

However, the woman alleged that the IIC gradually began contacting her repeatedly over the phone and made inappropriate video calls late at night. She further alleged that he took her in a police vehicle to a hotel in Nayagarh town and to a rented house in Baunsia, where he sexually harassed her.

The complainant stated that she initially remained silent, believing that the IIC would help resolve her problems and ensure her family's safety in the village.

She further claimed that when she told him to reveal the matter to the media, the IIC broke her mobile phone and deleted photographs and recordings stored in it.

The woman also alleged that the IIC had once forcibly taken her to the police station, where she was subjected to torture in a false case.

The complainant has demanded a detailed investigation, including examination of the IIC's mobile phone and CCTV footage of the police station. She said the footage would help establish the facts surrounding the allegations.

After the woman reached the SP's office on Wednesday, the IIC also arrived there. Taking the allegations seriously, Nayagarh SP ordered an inquiry and directed the Additional SP to investigate the matter and submit a report.

A case has been filed against the IIC, and further investigation is underway. The accused has been transferred from the Sarankul Police Station to the district headquarters.