Bhubaneswar, Nov. 9: The duration of the suspension of former Kendrapara police superintendent Satish Gajbhiye, accused of committing excesses on protesters during a demonstration in Kendrapara and violation of human rights, has been extended by another six months.

Gajbhiye was suspended on August 13, six days after the much-publicised police action on demonstrators in Kendrapara. The demonstrators, who gathered there on August 7, were demanding the immediate arrest of self-styled spiritual leader Santosh Raula alias Sarathi baba.

The decision to extend Gajbhiye's suspension was taken on the basis of a recommendation by the high-level committee that met here last week under the chairmanship of chief secretary Gokul Chandra Pati.

Draft charges have been framed against the controversial police officer with speculations rife that the state government may not reverse his suspension.

The Centre confirmed Gajbhiye's suspension last month following which draft charges were framed against him, sources here said.

The government had served a show cause notice on the 2002-batch IPS officer following the police action on demonstrators in Kendrapara on August 7. Gajbahiye was leading the district police which baton-charged the demonstrators and also made a lawyer, who is the member of a prominent political party, do sit-ups.

The incident had triggered state-wide protests with people staging road blocks and burning effigies of the officer. Lawyers boycotted work demanding action against him.

This forced the government to transfer Gajbhiye from Kendrapara. He was shifted to the police headquarters in Cuttack and made an officer without duty there. His suspension followed soon.

The officer made things even more difficult for himself by trying to defend his action in Kendrapara through social media. His posts on the social media were seen as a violation of All-India Service Rules.

To make things worse, Gajbhiye was also accused of encroaching on government land in Puri district for pisciculture. The issue was raised in a big way by the state BJP, which sent a fact-finding team to the area. The state vigilance department is also inquiring into the allegations.

The issue of police excesses in Kendrapara and alleged encroachment of land by Gajbhiye also figured in the Assembly's monsoon session.