BHUBANESWAR (February 22, 2026) — A Joint Commissioner-ranked officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) has been booked by the Bhubaneswar police for the alleged rape and blackmail of a 38-year-old woman. The case, registered at the Saheed Nagar police station on Friday, follows a preliminary inquiry that established prima facie evidence against the official. According to senior police officials, the alleged assault occurred at the officer’s government residence in the Satsang Vihar area, where the complainant had reportedly been invited under the pretext of watching a film.
Allegations of Assault and Digital Blackmail
The complainant, a married woman, stated in her First Information Report (FIR) that she visited the officer’s quarters on 15 January 2026, accompanied by a woman who is reportedly a relative of the accused. The victim alleged that while the officer’s wife and the other woman were away from the residence, the official played obscene content on his laptop and subsequently raped her.
According to reports from The Hindustan Times and The Indian Express, the victim further alleged that the officer threatened to circulate intimate footage of her if she disclosed the incident. The complainant approached the authorities after learning on 18 February that a video had reportedly been shared on social media, following which the accused allegedly attempted to coerce her into meeting him at a hotel in Puri.
Police Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Commissioner of Police S. Dev Datta Singh confirmed that an investigation is currently underway and that the officer has been summoned for interrogation. The case has been registered under Section 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to the punishment for rape.
Significant investigative steps taken by the Saheed Nagar police include:
- Evidence Collection: Mobile phones and other digital devices have been seized from the officer’s residence for forensic analysis.
- Medical Examination: A formal medical examination of the complainant has been conducted.
- Judicial Statements: The victim’s statement is scheduled to be recorded before a judicial magistrate under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Broadening Scope of the Inquiry
DCP Jagmohan Meena noted that the case is being treated as highly sensitive. A separate case has been filed at the Infocity police station against the woman who introduced the victim to the officer, as investigators suspect a wider link between the two incidents. Authorities are currently verifying the origins of the video and the extent of its circulation to establish a comprehensive timeline of the alleged crime and subsequent blackmail.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “IRS officer booked in rape case in Odisha” (February 22, 2026)
- The Hindustan Times: “Odisha: IRS officer booked for rape, threatened to blackmail survivor with video” (February 22, 2026)
- The Indian Express: “IRS officer booked on charges of rape in Odisha” (February 23, 2026)
- Times of India: “City cops launch probe into rape complaint against IRS officer” (February 23, 2026)
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