Odisha IPS officer Dayal Gangwar suspended over allegations of illegally engaging GRP constables for personal work: Read how a mob lynching probe unearthed this activity

Odisha government has placed IPS officer Dayal Gangwar under suspension.
IPS officer Dayal Gangwar and deceased constable Soumyaranjan Swain (Images via Odisha TV)

The Odisha government on Thursday (18th June) placed IPS officer Dayal Gangwar under suspension after an inquiry was conducted into the allegations that he illegally engaged eight Government Railway Police (GRP) constables, including Soumyaranjan Swain, for domestic work. He used the GRP constables for personal work even after he was transferred from the post of ADGP Railway & Coastal Security. Notably, Constable Swain was lynched in May 2026.

According to reports, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved the suspension of the 1998-batch IPS officer following the inquiry. Gangwar’s suspension comes weeks after he was removed as additional director general (ADG) and attached to the home department as an officer on special duty.

The home department susoending the IPS officer says, “Whereas, the Director General of Police, Odisha has submitted a confidential report regarding retention of eight GRP personnel by Shri Dayal Gangwar, IPS (RR-1998), former ADGP, Communication, Odisha (at present OSD, Home Department) for work in his residence, even after his transfer from the post of ADGP Railway & Coastal Security without approval of the competent authority.”

As a result, disciplinary proceedings against Dayal Gangwar have been initiated on the grounds of grave misconduct as a Member of the Indian Police Service in accordance with Section 3(2B) (vii) & (x) of All India Services (Conduct) Rules 1968, the order states.

Gangwar has not been directly linked to the death of the Swain, however, the illegal use of GRP constables for personal work, that too after his transfer, emerged during the investigation into the lynching. Moreover, the parents of Constable Swain have accused Gangwar of “physically and mentally” harassing him while he served under him.

Swain’s father, Dushasan Swain, alleged that Gangwar, during his tenure as GRP ADG, forced his son to perform personal tasks that did not form part of his official duties. He also claimed that his son was compelled to work at a gym of Gangwar’s associates.

Constable Swain was lynched to death

In May 2026, Constable Swain and a gym trainer named Om Raut chased and ran over two women riding a scooter. They dragged and pulled one of the women. Swain reportedly groped her and tried to kiss her. The injured women shouted for help and tried to fight the men off. Hearing the women’s cries, locals gathered at the spot. Enraged locals attacked the two men and beat Swain to death. The locals tied the hands and legs of Swain to a steel pipe and hung him. The police finally managed to pacify the mob and sent both men to the hospital, where Swain was declared dead.

Officials said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved Gangwar’s suspension following an inquiry into allegations that the deceased constable had been illegally engaged in domestic work. While Gangwar was not directly linked to the lynching, the parents of constable Soumya Ranjan Swain accused him of “physically and mentally” harassing their son while he worked under him.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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