Bilaspur: The troubles for suspended Chhattisgarh IPS officer Ratanlal Dangi have mounted. A departmental charge sheet has been issued against him in connection with allegations of sexual harassment and mental harassment. The Director General of Police (DGP) provided this information in a response submitted to the Chhattisgarh High Court. Meanwhile, following an objection raised by the complainant, the responsibility of the ‘presenting officer’ for the departmental inquiry has been transferred from IPS Prashant Agrawal to IPS Parul Mathur. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Dipanshu Kabra has been appointed as the inquiry officer.
During a hearing at the High Court on October 14, 2026, the state government and the DGP submitted a response detailing the status of the case. Following this, the court disposed of the complainant’s petition. However, the departmental inquiry against Ratanlal Dangi remains ongoing. The issuance of a charge sheet does not constitute a final conviction.
Allegations of exploitation spanning seven years
The wife of a Police Sub-Inspector (SI) had leveled serious allegations of sexual harassment and mental harassment against Ratanlal Dangi. The complainant alleged that she had been subjected to physical and mental exploitation for the past seven years. She had filed a written complaint at the Police Headquarters on October 15, 2025.
Upon receiving the complaint, the police department conducted a preliminary inquiry. Based on the findings of this inquiry, departmental proceedings were initiated. According to information presented to the High Court, a departmental charge sheet was issued to Ratanlal Dangi on April 20, 2026.
Officer replaced following demand for an impartial inquiry
The complainant had filed a petition in the High Court, questioning the impartiality of the preliminary inquiry. She alleged that certain circumstances arose during the investigation that cast doubt on the fairness of the proceedings. The woman had also requested that the inquiry be conducted by a female IAS officer. Advocate Abhishek Pandey presented the case on behalf of the petitioner. The High Court had sought a response from the State Government’s Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP). Subsequently, the government submitted information regarding the departmental proceedings and the investigation to the court.
Responsibility assigned to IPS Parul Mathur
Initially, IPS Prashant Kumar Agrawal was appointed as the presenting officer for the departmental inquiry. The complainant objected to this appointment and requested that a female officer be assigned to handle this sensitive matter.
Following the complainant’s objection, the presenting officer was changed. IPS Parul Mathur will now serve in this role, representing the department by presenting the relevant records, documents, and evidence before the investigating officer.
Meanwhile, ADG Deepanshu Kabra has been appointed as the investigating officer. He will examine the available evidence and the responses from the concerned parties, after which further action will be taken in accordance with the rules.
Initially removed from his post, then suspended
Following the emergence of serious allegations, the State Government first removed Ratanlal Dangi from his position and subsequently placed him under suspension. Orders to this effect were issued by the Home Department.
On the other hand, Ratanlal Dangi has denied the allegations leveled against him. He remains under suspension, and departmental proceedings against him are currently ongoing.
High Court disposes of the petition
During the hearing held on October 14, 2026, the DGP informed the court that a departmental charge sheet had been issued against the officer in question. Furthermore, the court was apprised that, following the complainant’s objection, the presenting officer had been replaced and the responsibility had been assigned to IPS Parul Mathur.
After considering the responses from the State Government and the DGP, the High Court disposed of the writ petition. This order pertains specifically to the investigative process; the court has not reached a final verdict regarding the allegations of sexual harassment. Focus on the Outcome of the Departmental Inquiry
The next steps in the departmental inquiry will be crucial. The investigating officer will examine the documents, available evidence, and the responses provided by the concerned parties. Once the inquiry is concluded, the competent authority will make a decision based on the findings, in accordance with the prescribed rules.
At present, the departmental proceedings are moving forward following the issuance of a charge sheet and the replacement of the presenting officer. The final outcome of the matter will become clear only after the inquiry is completed.
