Another government official has come under scrutiny in connection with the stampede that occurred during the 2025 Rath Yatra in Puri. The Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Puri, for alleged negligence while on duty at the district control room during the festival. The officer has been asked to submit his response within 30 days.

According to reports, ACF Ashok Kumar Behera and several police officials were assigned responsibilities near the Gundicha Temple, including coordination duties in the district control room to support crowd management efforts. The negligence surfaced after it was highlighted in a report submitted by senior official Anu Garg, prompting the latest action.

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