Odisha Prison DG accused of sexual harassment by former woman jailer

01 Nov 2026, 09:26 by Sunita · KalingaTV

Cuttack: Odisha Prisons Director General (DG) Sushant Kumar Nath has reportedly been accused of a workplace sexual harassment and criminal intimidation by former jailer of Choudwar Circle Jail, Santoshini Dash.

The FIR includes allegations of being summoned alone to a hotel, threats to ruin her career, and retaliatory suspension. A case has been registered against DG Sushant Nath and his associates under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Cuttack DCP has informed the Home Secretary about the matter.

The case at the Choudwar Police Station was registered based on a written complaint filed by Santoshini Dash. A case has been registered under Section 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment, Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation, and Section 3(5) for acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common criminal intention. Inspector Bikash Sethi, the IIC of Choudwar Police Station, has been entrusted with the investigation of this sensitive case. In the filed complaint, the former female jailer has disclosed several sensational details. An individual named Kuldeep Rath, who claimed to be an acquaintance of the Director General (DG) of Prisons, obtained her mobile number following a visit to the jail. Subsequently, he began sending indecent and suggestive emojis to Santoshini.

Furthermore, on August 29, 2025, and again on September 25/26, 2025, the DG invited her to dinner at a hotel, expressing a desire to meet her alone. However, the female jailer flatly rejected this proposal.

According to the complainant, retaliatory action was taken against her after she refused to go to the hotel. During meetings held on September 7 and 8, 2026, DG Sushant Kumar Nath remarked to her, “Had you come to meet me, you would not have had to face all these problems today.” Furthermore, pressure was exerted on the then Senior Superintendent, Sujit Kumar Raul, to withdraw the FIR filed against him; he was also threatened with dismissal from service and physical harm.

According to the allegations, he was suspended from service on February 19, 2026, with the intent to harass him. His regular salary and allowances have been stopped, and he is being subjected to mental and financial distress through the initiation of five departmental proceedings against him.

The emergence of this incident has caused a major stir within the Directorate of Prisons and the police administration. The Cuttack DCP has forwarded all details to the Home Department through the Police Commissioner, recommending further necessary action. No response has been received from Sushant Nath regarding the allegations so far.

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