Odisha: Excise Constable Involved in Illegal Narcotics Trade Dismissed from Service

Cuttack: An Excise Constable, who has been allegedly involved in illegal narcotics trade, has been dismissed from service.

Deepak Panigrahi of Rayagada district, who was arrested by Rayagada Town P.S for illegal possession of 42.250 Kgs of Ganja, has been dismissed from service for his gross misconduct, failure to maintain absolute integrity and decorum of official business.

“Excise Constable Deepak Panigrahi being a duty bound member of uniform service, instead of performing duty to contribute towards curbing illegal narcotics business, he himself is a part of the illegal narcotics trade, having been involved in keeping Ganja illegally and having been arrested as well as remanded to judicial custody, he has not only disgraced himself and Excise Department, Government of Odisha; but also has done a great disservice to the society”, Excise Commissioner Narasingha Bhol said in an order.

“Excise constable Deepak Panigrahi of Rayagada District is charged with gross misconduct and criminal negligence in duty and conduct unbecoming of a Government Servant, being involved in Rayagada P.S Case 84 dt. 14.03.2023 U/s 20(b)(ii)(C)25/29 of NDPS Act,1985”, the order reads.

 

“Whereas excise constable Deepak Panigrahi was attached in the Office of the OIC, Excise Station, Rayagada and was under administrative control of Superintendent of Excise, Rayagada, he was arrested by Rayagada Town P.S on 14.03.2023 for his involvement in above-mentioned case for being in illegal possession of 42.250 Kgs of Ganja as reported by OIC, Rayagada Excise Station vide D.R No. 506/PS, dated 15.03.2023 of Sub-Inspector of Police, Rayagada P.S and as per his report, Deepak Panigrahi, S/o- Gopal Krushna Panigrahi, Vill: Kasturi Nagar, 5th line, PS/Dist: Rayagada had illegally kept contraband Ganja in his rented house for which he was arrested on 14.03.2023 U/s 20(b)09(C)25/29 of NDPS Act1985 and forwarded to the Hon’ble Court of District and Session Judge on the same date”.

“Whereas Article of charges have been framed, vide Memorandum No.980 / Ex.dt. 18.07.2023 of Collector, Rayagada against him for violation of Rule-3 of Odisha Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1959 for his gross misconduct, failure to maintain absolute integrity and decorum of official business and being a duty bound, Excise constable in an Enforcement Department, keeping Ganja illegally in his possession at his rented house. Whereas Superintendent of Excise, Rayagada has reported that Sri Deepak Panigrahi, Excise Constable (U/s) is still under judicial custody and whereas the Criminal case against him is still under investigation.

Whereas Excise Constable Deepak Panigrahi being a duty bound member of uniform service, instead of performing duty to contribute towards curbing illegal Narcotics business, he himself is a part of the illegal Narcotics trade, having been involved in keeping Ganja illegally and having been arrested as well as remanded to judicial custody, he has not only disgraced himself and Excise Department, Government of Odisha; but also has done a great disservice to the society”, the order further reads.

Whereas he is in judicial custody since 14.03.2023 and under the above circumstances, it is not reasonably practicable to hold inquiry against him.

Whereas the Excise Commissioner, Odisha is the cadre controlling authority relating to appointment, posting, transfer. promotion including overall cadre management in case of Excise Constables in accordance with Rule-3 of Resolution No. 3954 dated 8′” June,2023 of Government of Odisha in Excise Department and therefore the Excise Commissioner of Odisha being empowered to dismiss Excise Constable, in accordance with Rule 14(2) of the Orissa Civil Services (C.C.A) Rules,1962 and whereas it is not reasonably practicable to hold enquiry against Excise Constable Deepak Panigrahi”, it added.