The Inspector General of Police, Lucknow, who has been dressing up and living for over a decade as Radha, the beloved of Lord Krishna, now faces the charges of breaching the police dress code and may have to see a psychologist.
A probe carried out by the Uttar Pradesh police into the controversy arising out of the IG (Rules and Manuals) D K Panda, a 1971 batch officer of the Indian Police Service, living life as 'Radha' for the past 15 years, has reportedly found him guilty of breaching the police dress code and service rules by appearing in public as a woman.
In the report submitted to the government by Director General of Police Yashpal Singh on Wednesday, a two-member committee also reportedly recommended sending Panda before the State Medical Committee for psychological evaluation, police sources said on Thursday.
"After studying the report in the next two to three days, the home department will send it to Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav for further action," Principal Secretary (Home) Alok Sinha said.
Panda, who was due to retire in 2007 and was currently posted as IG (Rules and Manuals), had created ripples in the government hierarchy by turning up at the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court dressed as a woman last Friday.
Wearing anklets, a nose ring and vermilion, Panda appeared with his head covered with a dupatta. He has been sporting this attire and been singing and dancing, allegedly out of his devotion to the flautist god, since 1991 when he claims he 'saw' Lord Krishna and fell in love with him.
Though Panda could not be contacted for a reaction, police officials claimed he was considering voluntary retirement in a bid to save himself from departmental action, including suspension.
The outlandish behaviour of the senior IPS officer has also irked his wife, Veena Panda, who has succeeded in getting a monthly maintainance of Rs 7,000 from him, following a recent order of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.
