An Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officer has been formally accused of "cruelty, negligence, and mental harassment" towards his wife and their newborn child, prompting a police investigation and sparking a media frenzy. The officer, identified as Sarthak Sourav Mohapatra, is facing allegations from his wife, Archana Dash, who filed a complaint with the Mahila police station in Bhubaneswar.

Dash, an engineer employed by the state government, alleged that Mohapatra subjected her to neglect, torture, and mental harassment. The complaint details that the couple married on February 21, 2024, and had a baby boy on May 7, 2025. However, just four days after the child's birth, Mohapatra allegedly abandoned Dash and their newborn at the hospital. Since then, Dash claims she has been living at her father's house, with Mohapatra allegedly failing to contact or inquire about the well-being of his wife and child. She also accused Mohapatra's mother and sister of mental harassment and humiliation.

According to the complaint, Mohapatra has not responded to Dash's phone calls or text messages. Dash stated that both she and her child have been subjected to cruelty and expressed her hope for justice. She further alleged that her husband abandoned them at the instruction of his mother and sister and that attempts to resolve the matter through mutual discussion were unsuccessful.

Based on Dash's written complaint, police have booked Mohapatra under several sections of the BNS ( Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) including Section 85 (cruelty), 351 (2) (criminal intimidation) and 3(5) (criminal act by several persons with common intention). Additionally, he has been booked under the Dowry Prohibition Act.

In response to the allegations, Mohapatra appeared before the Mahila police station for questioning. While addressing reporters, he denied all the charges made against him by his wife. Mohapatra asserted his faith in the police, judiciary, and in Lord Jagannath and stated that he would fight till the end. He also stated, "I will not make an Atul Subhash".

Mohapatra instead accused his wife of subjecting him to mental harassment and using their child for emotional blackmail. He claimed that his wife created hindrances for him to take care of his widowed mother, stating that he was undergoing mental trauma because of it. When asked about allegedly abandoning his wife and newborn at the hospital, Mohapatra did not provide a direct answer but said he was all along at the hospital.

The case has drawn parallels to the story of Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru-based techie who died by suicide last year after allegedly being harassed by his wife. In that case, Subhash had accused his wife and her family of harassment, including dowry demands and abuse. Subhash's wife, Nikita Singhania, had filed a case against him in 2022, accusing him and his family of dowry harassment and assault. She claimed that Subhash began to treat her "like a beast" and would regularly beat her and that her in-laws demanded an additional Rs 10 lakh. She also alleged that Subhash would transfer her entire salary to his account.

The Odisha case remains under investigation. DCP Jagmohan Meena confirmed that the investigation is ongoing following the registration of the case. Mohapatra has stated that he will prove his innocence before the police and court and that he does not want to discuss his personal matter in public.