Overview

• Station Officer Rajiv Kumar, accused of abusing Mahant Jitendra Das over loudspeaker limits, has been suspended and faces an internal police inquiry.
• Additional DCP Mahesh Kumar confirmed a formal probe into the alleged misconduct and verbal abuse during the June 27 confrontation in Nayaganj.
• Mahant Jitendra Das and supporters staged a dharna and threatened self-immolation after officers demanded removal of extra speakers ahead of the procession.
• After securing the officer’s suspension, police allowed the postponed Jagannath Rath Yatra to start at 8 p.m. under heightened security.
• Authorities maintained reserve forces from neighbouring stations along the route and issued repeated appeals to devotees to preserve peace.