In a development that has stirred the Chhattisgarh police establishment, senior IPS officer Mr. Ratanlal Dangi has been accused of sexual harassment by the wife of a sub-inspector posted in the state police department. The woman has alleged continuous physical and mental harassment over a period of seven years.
However, Mr. Dangi, currently serving as Director of the Police Training Academy in Chandkhuri, has categorically denied the accusations, claiming they are a retaliatory act following his own blackmail complaint against the woman.
Allegations and the Complainant’s Account
According to the complaint submitted to the Director General of Police (DGP) on October 16, the woman alleged that her ordeal began in 2017 when Mr. Dangi was posted as Superintendent of Police in Korba.
She claimed that the harassment continued through his successive postings in Surguja, Bilaspur, and finally at the Police Training Academy in Chandkhuri.
In her written statement, the woman alleged that Mr. Dangi used his authority to summon her to his residence in his wife’s absence and continued to harass her even after his transfers. She further alleged that he coerced her through video calls and threatened to transfer her husband to a Naxal-affected area if she refused to comply.
She said that fear for her husband’s career kept her silent for years, but escalating pressure and mental distress compelled her to finally come forward.
Officer’s Defense and Counter-Allegations
Mr. Dangi, a 2003-batch IPS officer with a long and decorated career, has strongly refuted the claims, terming them “false and fabricated.”
He alleged that the woman had been blackmailing him for several years and had even made compromising videos to extort and control him.
In his complaint to DGP Mr. Arundev Gautam, Mr. Dangi stated that the woman restricted his personal life — allegedly forbidding him from talking to his wife or attending family gatherings — and forced him to remain on video calls for several hours each day.
He further alleged that she threatened to release private videos and photos if he resisted, and when confronted, she would inflict self-harm to emotionally manipulate him.
Mr. Dangi also accused the woman of creating public disturbances at his residence, showing obscene material to domestic staff, and attempting to damage his family life.
Inquiry Ordered by Police Headquarters
Following the submission of the woman’s complaint, the Chhattisgarh Police Department initiated a departmental inquiry.
A two-member committee comprising senior IPS officers Dr. Anand Chhabra and Ms. Milna Kurre has been appointed to investigate both the harassment allegations and the counterclaims of blackmail.
An audio clip purportedly related to the case has also surfaced on social media, in which the woman can reportedly be heard denying certain allegations and stating that the truth would come out during the inquiry.
Government Response: “No One Above the Law”
Responding to the controversy, Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai said that the government maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct, regardless of rank or position.
“Whether it is an IPS or IAS officer, if an allegation is made, there will be an impartial investigation. If wrongdoing is confirmed, strict action will follow,” the Chief Minister asserted.
Mr. Ratanlal Dangi’s Career and Public Profile
Mr. Dangi, known for his administrative acumen and interest in wellness, has served as Superintendent of Police in Bijapur, Kanker, Korba, and Bilaspur, and later as Inspector General in Surguja, Durg, and Bilaspur ranges.
A published author and yoga practitioner, he has written several books on motivation and mental well-being, reflecting his interest in holistic leadership.
As the inquiry unfolds, the case will test institutional transparency and accountability within the police hierarchy, while the government’s commitment to impartial justice remains under public scrutiny.
