Odisha Cop’s Name Dropped In I-Day Medal List Over Stone Mafia Link

Bhubaneswar: Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Khordha Sadar police station Bikram Jena was not conferred with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service despite his name figuring in the list published on the eve of the ceremony. 

The development came after Jena was summoned by the Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch for his alleged links with stone mafias on Wednesday. Jena has been asked to appear before the STF on Saturday.

The name of the IIC figured in the list of 11 cops to be conferred with the medal in the official communication of the Odisha Police Headquarters on Wednesday. However, his name was found to be dropped in another official press release of the Odisha Police Headquarters today after completion of the ceremony at Jaydev Bhavan in the state capital.

Though senior police officials remained tight-lipped about the development, police sources said that name of Jena for the medal may be considered after he gets a clean chit by the investigating agency.

Police officials said Jena’s name came up during interrogation of a few members of the stone quarrying mafia. The STF so far has arrested more than two dozen accused involved in illegal mining quarry in Khordha and adjoining areas. 

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