The Maharashtra government on Wednesday finally suspended controversial IPS officer Deepak Pandey, superintendent of police in Akola district, almost two months after allegations of his role in a sex scandal had surfaced.
Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil, who also heads the Home Department, announced the suspension in the assembly.
This was Pandey’s second suspension in four years.
Two months ago, he was entangled in allegations that he had used the services of a sex racket that exploited several women. On February 10, an 18-year-old woman from Akola named several government officials, including Pandey, as being involved in the racket. She said though Pandey did not exploit her sexually, he received sexual favours from other women in the flesh trade.
The woman told the police that the kingpin of the racket, Nitu Takwat, now in police custody, enjoyed cordial relations with Pandey. Soon after the scandal, Pandey was told to proceed on compulsory leave.
“Many people are not ready to appear as witnesses fearing that Pandey might come back as chief of the district police. I am suspending him to facilitate investigations (into the Akola sex racket),” said Patil.
{{/usCountry}}“Many people are not ready to appear as witnesses fearing that Pandey might come back as chief of the district police. I am suspending him to facilitate investigations (into the Akola sex racket),” said Patil.
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