Ranchi, Aug. 14: A proposal has been made to dismiss the suspended inspector-general of police P.S. Natarajan, but the question doing the rounds in the police fraternity is will the state seek the unprecedented Presidential assent to take this drastic action.

Sources said director-general of police V.D. Ram had moved a file on August 10 recommending the state to dismiss the 1975 batch IPS officer, who is absconding after being accused of sexually harassing a tribal girl.

The DGP had recommended the dismissal under Article 311(2) of the Constitution, which confers special powers to the President to unilaterally dismiss any officer of central government services without an inquiry.

Such officers cannot be dismissed by an authority subordinate to the President. Further, the officer must be informed of the charges and his side must be heard. But as Natarajan is absconding, Article 311(2) can be invoked, sources said.

Though the Union minister of state for home had said in Parliament that it is the state?s discretion to hold or dismiss him, some police officers said it would depend on what pressure groups were working for and against the officer.

Natarajan is considered to be well-connected with friends and family members in high places. But some said even his so-called mentors have now started disowning him.

A senior officer said he has already been under suspension. And with this case, the state does not have many options. Apart from the non-bailable warrant and the property attachment troubles, Natarajan might be in for more problems.

The tape showing Natarjan and the tribal woman has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh, for verification. Sources said it can take at least six months for the reports to come.

Hatia DSP Sambhu Thakur, who is in the investigating team, confirmed that the tapes could take time.

?Yes, it takes a long time for the reports to arrive. If the government presses for a quick release of the report, there could be a chance. But this is rare,? he added.

A source said Natarajan has been constantly talking with his legal experts trying to find a way out. He said: ?Natarajan wants to ensure a bail first. Only then is he going to surrender. The bail looks doubtful. Everything depends on the court?s discretion.?

Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar Dubey, the Congress MP from Dhanbad, has jumped to the support of his IPS officer friend.

Dubey said: ?The video clippings simply cannot be believed. Natarajan is a different kind of person. He cannot indulge in such acts.?