Odisha Police Mourn Inspector Beauty Mohanty; Family Alleges Excessive Work Pressure(!)
Manoj Kanta Dash, Odishabarta
Inspector Beauty Mohanty’s Tragic Death Raises Questions Over Police Workload
Cuttack, July 4, 2026: The Odisha Police fraternity is reeling in shock after Inspector Beauty Mohanty (40), known for her cheerful demeanour and exemplary service, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Chauliaganj Police Station early on Saturday.
Preliminary findings suggest that she died by suicide. Her body was found hanging in the police station’s rest room on the upper floor. However, the question haunting her colleagues and family is: why did this dedicated and always-smiling officer take such a drastic step(?)
Beauty Mohanty joined the Odisha Police as a Sub-Inspector in 2010. During her distinguished career, she served in Ganjam district and the Commissionerate Police, and was posted as Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Markatnagar, Pahala, and Cuttack Women’s Police Station.
Colleagues and senior officers praised her professionalism, particularly her ability to resolve domestic disputes and maintain excellent public relations. Only a few days before her death, she had been transferred to the high-pressure Chauliaganj Police Station.
She lived in government quarters at Old Lalbag with her 10-year-old son, who studies in an English-medium school, and her mother-in-law. Her husband, Samir Swain, a software engineer based in Mumbai, spoke with her every day.
According to family members, there were no known marital disputes or workplace conflicts. Everyone who knew her described her as warm, approachable, and full of life.
On Friday night, after completing her duty, Mohanty did not return home as usual. Instead, she stayed in the police station’s rest room. The following morning, her body was found hanging.
The news spread rapidly across the state. Senior officers, including Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh, Additional Commissioner of Police Narasingh Bhol, ACPs, Inspectors, Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh, and former MLA Pravat Biswal, rushed to the hospital.
After the post-mortem examination, her body was taken to the DCP office for official tributes before being handed over to her family at Dahalia Bag.
Family Alleges Excessive Work Pressure(!)
Mohanty’s family has alleged that the sudden increase in workload following her transfer to Chauliaganj Police Station pushed her into severe mental stress.
According to the family, she was simultaneously managing the responsibilities of a busy police station while investigating several pending cases, many of which required travel outside the district. Despite repeated requests, she was reportedly unable to obtain leave. She had also written to the Deputy Commissioner of Police seeking a transfer so that she could spend more time with her young son and family.
Her husband, Samir Swain, said, “There was never any dispute between us. I spoke to her for the last time at 10:25 pm on Friday. She sounded normal. She never wanted heavy police station duty. She always said she preferred office work so she could spend more time with our child and family. After being posted to Chauliaganj, she would often return home only at 2 or 3 in the morning.”
Police Commissioner Assures Thorough Investigation
Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh described the incident as “a huge shock” for the department.
“Beauty Mohanty was a highly efficient and dedicated officer. She never complained about any physical or mental health issues. She remained active day and night. We will investigate every possible angle. Her call records will be examined, and her family members will be questioned. The police will probe all aspects to uncover the truth,” he said.
An unnatural death case has been registered at Mangalabag Police Station (Case No. 1689). The rest room has been sealed, scientific teams have collected evidence, and her mobile phone has been sent for forensic examination.
The tragic death of Inspector Beauty Mohanty has once again highlighted the immense pressure faced by police personnel, particularly women officers balancing demanding professional responsibilities with family life.
