OAS Officer Denies Allegations of Cruelty Amid Family Dispute in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar Officer Responds to Serious Allegations

Bhubaneswar: An officer from the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) is facing serious accusations of 'cruelty, negligence, and mental harassment' towards his wife and their newborn son. On Friday, he expressed his determination to fight the allegations, stating he would not follow the tragic path of Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru software engineer who took his own life last year amid similar claims.

The officer made his statements to the media while visiting the Mahila police station in Bhubaneswar, responding to a notice issued after his wife lodged a complaint against him. She is a government engineer and has filed a case under various sections of the BNS and Dowry Prevention Act.

Denying the allegations, the officer expressed his trust in the police and judiciary, as well as his faith in Lord Jagannath. He stated, "I will not become another Atul Subhash... I will fight until the end. I believe in the court and in Lord Jagannath," while claiming that he was the one facing harassment from his wife for caring for his widowed mother.

The couple married on February 21, 2024, and welcomed their son on May 10. In her FIR, the wife accused her husband of abandoning her and their child at the hospital, and she also implicated his mother and sister in her complaint.

The officer countered her claims, alleging that she subjected him to mental distress and used their child as a means of emotional manipulation. He accused her of obstructing his ability to care for his mother, stating, "I am the only one available to look after my mother. My father has passed away. When I fulfilled my duties as a son, my wife objected. She showed no concern for my mother, and I was under significant mental strain."

When questioned about the alleged abandonment, he clarified, "I was present at the hospital, caring for my wife. I stayed for three days, managing all necessary tasks post-delivery. There was no assistance from anyone, including my in-laws. However, when I briefly returned home to check on my mother's health, my wife caused a scene at the hospital, demanding I choose between my mother and our child."

Since that incident, he has not seen his newborn son, fearing that his wife might react negatively if he attempted to visit. "For my safety, I haven't met my child. However, I wish to see him through formal channels. I am willing to take on my parental responsibilities officially, such as through a court order," the officer stated.