Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has deferred the hearing on petitions filed by Susanta Kumar Nath, a 1993-batch senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Odisha cadre, who is seeking protection from arrest and the quashing of a criminal case registered against him following allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation by a former woman jailer.
The matter will now be heard on November 6. Nath has approached the High Court after Choudwar Police Station in Cuttack district registered a case against him and his alleged associate, Kuldeep Rath, on October 31.
The petitions seek relief from coercive action as well as the quashing of the FIR. The proceedings are currently at the stage of judicial consideration, and the allegations against the officer have not been established.
What Are the Allegations Against Susanta Kumar Nath?
The complaint was filed by Santoshini Dash, a former jailer of Choudwar Circle Jail, who accused Nath and Kuldeep Rath of sexual harassment, intimidation and misuse of official position.
According to the complainant’s allegations, Rath contacted her on Nath’s behalf and invited her to meet the senior IPS officer for dinner at hotels in Cuttack in August and September 2025.
She alleged that she declined the invitations, which she considered unwelcome personal advances. She further claimed that she faced professional retaliation and administrative pressure after refusing the alleged overtures and declining to withdraw an earlier complaint against another prison official.
The allegations include:
- Unwelcome invitations: The complainant alleged that Rath approached her on Nath’s behalf and invited her to private meetings.
- Threats and intimidation: She claimed that threats were made concerning her career, reputation and personal safety.
- Departmental action: She alleged that suspension and departmental proceedings were initiated against her after she refused the alleged advances.
- Pressure to withdraw an earlier case: She also accused Nath of pressuring her to withdraw a complaint against a former Choudwar jail superintendent.
These are allegations contained in the complaint and remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
FIR Registered Against Nath and His Alleged Associate
Following the complaint, Cuttack police registered a case against Nath and Rath at Choudwar Police Station.
The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and common intention.
Nath and Rath have approached the High Court seeking legal relief in connection with the case. Rath has also filed petitions seeking anticipatory bail and quashing of the criminal proceedings.
The High Court’s decision to defer the hearing means that their requests will remain pending until the next scheduled date.
Odisha Government Removes Nath as DG Prisons
The case also led to an administrative change involving Nath. On November 1, the Odisha government removed him from the post of Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services and appointed him as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Home Department.
The transfer came a day after the police registered the case against him and Rath.
The government move was reported as an administrative measure pending investigation into the allegations.
Nath’s DGP Selection Also Under Scrutiny
Nath was also among the senior IPS officers being considered in connection with the selection of the state’s next Director General of Police.
His name had earlier figured in proceedings before the Supreme Court concerning his exclusion from the DGP selection process after the state government withdrew his integrity certificate.
With the criminal case now under investigation and his petitions pending before the Orissa High Court, Nath faces separate legal and administrative developments.
The High Court is scheduled to take up the matter again on November 6.
