Bhubaneswar, June 17: A homeguard working with the city police today alleged that he had been beaten up by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP). He said the ACP had beaten him this afternoon and tore up his shirt.

According to the homeguard, Mangaraj Biswal, he had been on leave for the past three days. When he joined duty today the ACP, in charge of the police control room, Radhakrushna Mohapatra sought an explanation from him as to why he had been on leave without informing the seniors.

“I told him that I had given my leave application to assistant sub-inspector Asalata Jena, but he did not listen to me and started abusing me,” said Biswal, adding that when he protested, the ACP kicked him and tore his shirt. Later a police van took him to Capital Hospital for medical examination.

Biswal, a native of Baunsiapada in Nayagada district, had joined the state police as a homeguard in 2007. At present, he is posted in the police control room.

However, the ACP refuted the charges saying that Biswal was not sincere in discharging his duties. He said the homeguard had gone on leave without informing anyone.

“The homeguard has some side business and he was not regular in his duty. During the Raja festival, none took leave as the control room staff were busy. But, this man stayed back home without informing anyone,” said Mohaptra.

The ACP refuted charges of beating Biswal. “He himself tore his shirt and complained against me,” said Mohapatra.

President of the Homeguards Association Sanjay Behera said they had urged the higher authorities to take steps against the ACP.

“We will lodge a complaint with the Saheed Nagar police,” said Behera, adding that if no step was taken against the ACP, they would launch a protest against it.

Deputy commissioner of police Nitinjeet Singh said he had got to know about the matter in the afternoon and was looking into the case.