Berhampur, 11/05/2026:
The wife of late Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) B. Dandapani Patro on Saturday demanded immediate legal action against Chikiti Additional Tahasildar Smt. Saswati Sarangi, alleging that her husband was driven to suicide due to humiliation and verbal abuse by the officer during the Sunapur Beach Festival on February 3.
Addressing a press conference, B. Janaki Patro alleged that her husband, who was serving as PEO of Ramachandrapur Gram Panchayat under Chikiti block, was publicly insulted and abused by the Additional Tahasildar near the Jhatipadar Panchayat office while on official duty at the festival venue.
According to the complaint, the officer allegedly used offensive language and threatened to suspend him and “ruin his career,” leaving him mentally distressed. Family members claimed Patro returned home in a depressed state and later consumed poison on February 4 after writing a suicide note allegedly holding the Additional Tahasildar responsible for his extreme step.
He underwent treatment for 14 days at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, before succumbing on February 17.
Janaki Patro further alleged that despite submitting complaints and informing Golanthara police about the handwritten suicide note, no action has been taken so far against the officer. She also claimed police failed to seize the suicide note and accused them of acting under pressure due to the alleged influence of the officer’s husband, said to be a senior police official.
Demanding justice, she urged authorities to immediately arrest the Additional Tahasildar and initiate strict legal action for allegedly abetting her husband’s suicide.
