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Woman Home Guard ‘Offered’ ₹25 Lakh, ‘Threatened’ To Drop Case Against IIC

A female home guard has accused law enforcement authorities of employing coercive measures and intimidation tactics following her complaint against the former Inspector-in-Charge of Kujang police station, Tapan Nahak.

Her allegations initially centered on deceptive promises of marriage leading to sexual exploitation; however, she now contends that systemic efforts are being made to silence her and obstruct judicial proceedings.

In a public statement, she detailed how unidentified individuals had infiltrated her village, subjecting her family to intimidation and psychological duress. Additionally, she alleged that a senior police official had assigned a constable to pressure her into retracting her complaint, explicitly warning that her continued pursuit of legal recourse could result in the loss of her employment. These claims underscore broader concerns regarding institutional barriers that victims encounter when seeking justice within law enforcement frameworks.

Financial Incentives to Dissuade Legal Action

Beyond direct threats, the complainant has alleged a targeted bribery attempt aimed at persuading her to abandon the case. Following Nahak’s arrest on Wednesday, an intermediary purportedly arranged a clandestine meeting at a local stadium, where she was offered ₹25 lakh in exchange for withdrawing her allegations. She categorically rejected the offer, underscoring her resolve to hold the accused accountable despite mounting external pressures.

Denial of Suppression Claims

Jagatsinghpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhabani Shankar Udgata refuted allegations that senior police officials were engaged in suppressing the case. He asserted that the complainant had not formally presented such claims under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) before the magistrate.

“The accused has already been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. There has been no effort from within the police department to suppress this case,” stated SP Udgata. He further confirmed that the complainant’s mobile phone had been confiscated for forensic analysis, and that an active inquiry was underway to examine the credibility of her allegations.

Implications for Institutional Integrity and Judicial Oversight

With the accused in judicial custody, investigative authorities are focusing on corroborating the home guard’s claims through forensic analysis, financial audits, and witness testimonies. This case has broader ramifications for institutional transparency, as it highlights the extent to which systemic power structures can be leveraged to suppress allegations of misconduct.

As legal proceedings advance, critical attention remains on law enforcement mechanisms and their capacity to uphold procedural integrity. The outcome of this case will serve as an indicator of the extent to which existing legal frameworks can effectively shield complainants from retaliatory practices while ensuring an equitable and impartial justice process.