Bhubaneswar: Newly-appointed police commissioner Satyajit Mohanty on Friday dissolved the Quick Action Team (QAT) after placing the in charge of the unit, sub-inspector Deepak Lenka, under suspension over allegations of misappropriation of seized narcotics.
The QAT was formed in September 2013 by the then police commissioner R.P. Sharma to detect organised crimes - such as drug peddling, flesh trade and extortion.
Mohanty said that the rest of the members of the QAT had been directed to return to their respective establishments. "The allegations of misappropriation of narcotics during secret operation is being probed. Preliminary investigation established veracity of the allegation. The sub-inspector has been placed under suspension to facilitate a fair probe," said Mohanty.
The QAT has as many as 12 members including Lenka and an assistant sub-inspector of police and was functioning under the supervision of the police commissioner. The QAT was also functioning in tandem with the special squad which also investigates organised crimes.
On the occasion, Mohanty also asked the police officials to refrain from any misconduct. "Such misconduct will never be tolerated and stringent action will be initiated against those who indulging in corrupt practices," added Mohanty.
Lenka was in charge of the QAT since June last year and was felicitated for his work during the celebration of the 10th raising day of the police headquarters in January this year. The QAT busted several sex rackets, drug peddling rackets and duplicate manufacturing units in the recent past. On August 8, the QAT had busted a fake liquor manufacturing unit at Kharavela Nagar and seized 500 litres of duplicate foreign liquor along with other manufacturing equipment.
Police sources said that similar allegations were also made against other members of the unit that was involved in a number of cases related to seizure of firearms.
"The role of other members of the unit is also being scrutinised. We are also checking whether the unit members got any financial benefit from the miscreants," said another police officer.
