SUSPENDED Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ratan Lal Dangi, a 2003-batch IPS officer, facing departmental proceedings over allegations of harassment by a woman yoga instructor from Bilaspur, will now face an inquiry involving a woman IPS officer following objections raised by the complainant over the impartiality of the earlier investigation. A September 29, 2026, order issued by the Chhattisgarh Home (Police) Department, accessed by The Hitavada, appoints Deputy Inspector General of Police Parul Mathur (2008 batch) as presenting officer and Additional Director General of Police Dipanshu Vijay Kabra (1997 batch) as inquiry officer in the departmental proceedings against Dangi. The complainant, a resident of Rajkishore Nagar, Bilaspur, had accused Dangi, formerly Inspector General of Police, Bilaspur, of sending objectionable photographs and messages. Following her complaint to the Director General of Police, IPS officers Anand Chhabra and Milna Kurre were assigned responsibility for the preliminary inquiry. However, the complainant subsequently questioned the impartiality of the proceedings, alleging bias and irregularities in the investigation.

 

Through advocates Abhishek Pandey and Rishabh Dev Sahu, she sought replacement of the inquiry officers by senior Indian Administrative Service officers, preferably including a woman officer. She also requested examination of Dangi’s movable and immovable properties in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. The Home Department’s September 29 order records that charges were issued against Dangi on April 28, 2026, under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. His written defence was found unsatisfactory, prompting the Government to initiate a formal departmental inquiry. According to information supplied regarding the proceedings, allegations against Dangi were reportedly substantiated during the preliminary inquiry. However, the departmental proceedings remain pending, with no final determination of misconduct recorded in the available documents. The revised inquiry arrangement was placed before the Chhattisgarh High Court during proceedings in WPC No 4141/2026. In its October 5 order, Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad examined the Government’s September 29 decision and observed that the complainant’s grievance, particularly her request for a woman officer, had been duly considered. Finding no further directions necessary, the High Court disposed of the petition.