Suspended Barchana IIC to face more trouble for using seized SUV to visit Puri

Puri: Barchana Police Station IIC Deepak Kumar Jena, who has been placed under suspension for entering Shree Jagannath Temple here in Odisha last  evening, had allegedly used a stolen vehicle to visit the holy city that was seized by the police earlier, an official informed today.

The IIC took the vehicle to Puri after installing a red beacon on it, alleged vehicle owner Sushant Dalei.

Yesterday, Dalei had lodged a complaint before Jajpur SP and Collector alleging that that his stolen vehicle was used by Jena to visit Puri.

In his complaint, Dalei said a few miscreants had looted his vehicle from Chandikhole on March 20, following which he had filed an FIR with the Badchana police on March 21.

“The IIC had assured to hand over the vehicle to me after seizing it from looters. But I am yet to get it back even though a month has passed since the loot. Hence, I raised the issued before SP and Collector yesterday,” Dalei added.

Furthermore, DIG Central Rang Ashish Singh said the IIC was not leave and had not informed the district SP about his travel to Puri.

Earlier today, the DGP placed Jena under suspension for his misconduct after he allegedly barged into Srimandir along with his family members through the South Gate last evening.

A case has also been registered against Jena at the Singhadwara police station here and further investigation is underway, official added.

Notably, the Srimandir has been closed for devotees from March 20 even before the lockdown was imposed as a precautionary measure against the spread of novel coronavirus.

However, the servitors have been allowed to perform the rituals inside the 12th century shrine.