BHUBANESWAR: Director-General of Police (DGP) Sanjeev Marik, embroiled in controversy for touching the feet of Daitapatis in uniform, was reportedly censured by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his act, on Wednesday.
With Opposition parties baying for his scalp for the Nabakalebara bungling, a peeved Chief Minister asked the top cop to maintain dignity of the position and advised him to be careful in future so that such things do not recur, sources in the Chief Minister’s office said.
Different TV channels have been airing visuals of Marik touching the feet of Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, president of Daitapati Nijog, and Jagannath Swain Mahapatra, Badagrahi of Lord Jagannath, during collection of sacred Daru (neem trees) for Lord Sudarshan at Gadakhuntunia village near Balakati on the outskirts of the city.
In plain-clothes too, Marik was also seen touching the feet of priests in full public view.
Though the incident took place over a month ago, Naveen, who was quiet so far, chose to express his displeasure now only after Opposition Congress, BJP and other outfits made it an issue.
Naveen also warned the DGP not to tolerate any indiscipline during the Rath Yatra scheduled to be held on July 18, sources said.
Marik, however, could not be contacted.