A Sub Inspector in tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district has been suspended on charges of making a pregnant woman walk for 3km during helmet-checking.

Reena Baxal, Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of Sarat Police Station in Mayurbhanj District, was placed under suspension with immediate effect from March 28 and attached to Baripada Headquarters, according to a statement in a letter by the Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police. Baxal has been asked to hand over the charge of the Police Station to Assistant Sub Inspector BD Dasmohapatra.

The action was taken after a pregnant woman and her husband accused the Officer in Charge of torturing her.

The woman, Gurubari, was going to Udala Sub-divisional hospital for a health check-up with her husband Bikram Biruli on a bike when they were stopped by police. While Bikram was wearing a helmet, Gurubari was not.

The woman developed complications due to the 3 kilometer walk in the heat. The couple then lodged a complaint with the sub-divisional police officer. The Mayurbhanj SP said Baksala has been suspended for gross misconduct and dereliction of duty and a departmental probe will also be initiated against her.

BJP to get big rasgulla: Mamata Banerjee

Breaking News: This BJP leader commits suicide

Murdered: Young man who went to defecate with his companions