Suspended IPS officer and former Kendrapada SP Satish Kumar Gajbhiye, his former PSO, driver and several others on Thursday appeared in person and deposed before the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Central range AB Ota, who is probing the alleged police excess,
including firing on anti-liquor agitators, at Namtara village in Kendrapada district in March 2015.
With this second phase of recording the statements of the witnesses, the RDC has till now completed a major portion of inquiry, recording statements of over 50 witnesses.
At least 16 witnesses, including former district Collector Pramod Das, had deposed before the RDC earlier this month.
At least nine people, including women and children, had sustained bullet injuries when police opened indiscriminate firing on the agitators triggering a State-wide public outcry.
“The then SP has also submitted his statements in the form of an affidavit and answered to all my queries, which have been recorded,” the RDC said, indicating that he would soon submit his report to the State Government.
Notably, the RDC had visited Namtara village for two days last month and had recorded the statements of the victims.