Cuttack: Four people have been arrested in Odisha‘s Cuttack for allegedly manhandling Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ananya Awasthi during a confrontation over firecracker bursting beyond the permitted hours on Diwali night.
The incident took place on Sunday, November 8, in the Nayasadak locality, where police personnel intervened after receiving information about people bursting firecrackers on a busy road beyond the prescribed time limit.
Awasthi, a 2022-batch IPS officer of the Odisha-cadre, was present at the spot to oversee enforcement. The confrontation reportedly escalated into a physical altercation, during which she was allegedly pushed and manhandled by some people.
Lalbag Police arrested four accused on Monday after examining CCTV footage and videos of the incident circulated on social media. Police had earlier detained around 10 people for questioning.
What Happened During the Diwali Night Incident?
According to the guidelines issued by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), firecrackers could be burst only between 7 pm and 9 pm on Diwali.
However, some local residents and shopkeepers were allegedly bursting crackers on the main road in Nayasadak until around 10.30 pm, causing inconvenience to commuters.
Following information about the activity, a police team led by ACP Ananya Awasthi reached the location and asked those present to stop bursting crackers.
An argument reportedly broke out between police personnel and local residents, which subsequently escalated into a scuffle.
Videos that surfaced after the incident showed Awasthi being pushed and confronted by some individuals.
Some local shopkeepers, however, claimed that the police response, including the alleged kicking of fireworks kept on the road, had angered people and contributed to the confrontation.
Four Arrested, More Identifications Underway
Lalbag Police arrested four people after examining CCTV recordings and videos of the incident.
The arrested persons were identified as:
- Vinay Agarwal (32)
- Yash Choudhury (23)
- Krishna Soni (20)
- Mohit Nangalia (22)
Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo confirmed the arrests and said investigators were examining additional footage to identify others involved.
Police have registered a case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to offences including causing grievous hurt to a public servant, wrongful restraint, rioting, negligent conduct involving fire, criminal intimidation and breach of public peace.
Further investigation is underway, and police have indicated that more arrests may follow.
Who Is IPS Officer Ananya Awasthi?
Ananya Awasthi is a 2022-batch Indian Police Service officer belonging to the Odisha cadre. Originally from Madhya Pradesh, she holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal.
Before joining the IPS, she served in the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS).
Previous Assignments
Awasthi’s policing career in Odisha has included the following assignments:
- Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sundargarh: She began her field-level policing assignment in the district as an officer under training.
- Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Cuttack: She served in the Cuttack Urban Police District before her appointment to the Governor’s establishment.
- Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Odisha Governor: In May 2026, she was appointed ADC to then Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, becoming the first woman police officer in Odisha to hold the position.
She assumed charge as the Governor’s ADC at Lok Bhavan on May 31, 2026.
In August 2026, she returned to the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate as ACP.
The incident in Cuttack occurred while she was overseeing police enforcement of the restrictions on firecracker bursting during Diwali celebrations.
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