Bhubaneswar, Nov 8, 2025

The Odisha government has ordered disciplinary action against seven police officers and decided to blacklist a private technology firm after an enquiry into the June 29 stampede near the Gundicha Temple in Puri during the Rath Yatra, which claimed three lives and left several injured.

In an official communication, the Home (Special Section) Department said the government has accepted the findings of the probe led by the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary (Planning & Coordination), which cited serious lapses in police supervision, poor coordination with the temple administration and failure of the AI-based Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).

The officers found negligent police officers which include Ajay Kumar Padhi, Commandant, OSA

See Full Page