Bilaspur: The Chhattisgarh Police has proposed changing the investigating officer in the sexual harassment case involving suspended 2003-batch IPS officer Ratan Lal Dangi. The proposal was submitted by the Director General of Police (DGP) to the Home Secretary following a petition filed before the High Court.
According to the information presented before the High Court, IPS officer Dipanshu Kabra has been proposed as the new investigating officer, while IPS officer Prashant Kumar Agrawal has been proposed as the presenting officer in the case.
DGP Sends Proposal to Change Investigating Officer
During the High Court proceedings, the police department informed the court that the DGP had sent a proposal to the Home Secretary for changing the officers handling the case.
The proposal includes:
- IPS Dipanshu Kabra as the new investigating officer.
- IPS Prashant Kumar Agrawal as the presenting officer.
- The process will move forward after a final decision is taken at the competent level.
The development comes after the complainant approached the High Court and raised questions about the fairness of the preliminary investigation.
SI’s Wife Accused IPS Ratan Lal Dangi of Sexual Harassment
The case relates to allegations made by the wife of a Sub-Inspector (SI) posted in the police department against IPS officer Ratan Lal Dangi.
The woman filed a complaint at the Police Headquarters on October 15, 2025. She alleged that Dangi had subjected her to physical and mental harassment for around seven years.
Amid the allegations, Dangi was removed from his post. The order was issued by then Home Department Secretary Himshikhar Gupta. Dangi was subsequently suspended.
Dangi has denied the allegations and termed them false. The matter is currently under judicial consideration.
Complainant Raised Questions Over Preliminary Inquiry
The complainant later approached the High Court, questioning the fairness of the preliminary inquiry.
According to her petition, her side was not properly heard during the investigation. She also alleged that there was an attempt to protect the accused officer.
The complainant sought a change in the investigating officer and requested an impartial inquiry. She had also sought an investigation by a senior IAS officer, preferably a woman officer.
Why Did the Complainant Seek Removal of Earlier Officers?
The petition stated that the preliminary inquiry had earlier been assigned to then IG Anand Chhabra and then DIG Milna Kurre.
The complainant expressed concerns about the impartiality of the inquiry by the two officers.
According to the petition:
- One of the officers was of a rank equivalent to the accused officer.
- The other officer was junior to the accused officer.
- The complainant therefore sought their removal from the inquiry.
- She requested that the investigation be handed over to a senior IAS officer, particularly a woman IAS officer.
High Court Sought Status of Investigation
During the hearing, the High Court sought information from the police department regarding the status of the investigation and the action taken in the matter.
The department subsequently informed the court that the DGP had sent a proposal to the Home Secretary to change the investigating officer.
The proposal names IPS Dipanshu Kabra for the investigation and IPS Prashant Kumar Agrawal as the presenting officer. The final decision will be taken by the competent authority.
Next Hearing to Take Place Next Week
The case is now expected to proceed under the supervision of the High Court. Abhishek Pandey, the lawyer representing the complainant, said that the next hearing is scheduled for next week.
The court may be informed about the status of the process to change the investigating officer and the further course of action during the upcoming hearing.
The allegations made by the complainant remain subject to the ongoing investigation and judicial proceedings. No final conclusion on the allegations has been reached at this stage.
