Odisha government suspends two senior officials following arrests

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the suspension of two senior government officials following their arrest and subsequent detention in judicial custody for more than 48 hours.

Arun Kumar Biswal, an Additional Secretary in the Commerce and Transport Department, was arrested following allegations of harassing and attempting to murder a female employee. Reports indicate Biswal allegedly entered the woman’s residence in Bhubaneswar while under the influence of alcohol, where he caused a disturbance and assaulted her.

Sujit Kumar Roul, the Senior Superintendent of Choudwar Circle Jail, was arrested in connection with a jailbreak incident that occurred last year. Roul faces accusations of forging documents and manipulating prison records, including the signature of former jailor Santoshini Dash, in an attempt to shift responsibility for the escape of two murder accused prisoners.