Odisha: CM orders judicial probe into alleged torture and sexual assault case

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By  News On Air   Sep 23, 2024

Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Majhi has ordered a judicial probe into the alleged torture of an Army officer and his woman friend and the woman was allegedly subjected to sexual assault during custody. The incident occurred on 15th of this month at  Bharatpur police station ib Bhubaneswar .

The judicial inquiry has been set up under retired Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash and it will submit the report within 60 days. In addition, the ongoing Crime Branch probe into the incident will also be monitored by a judge of Odisha High Court.

The Odisha police has already suspended five personnel, including the Inspector-in-Charge of Bharatpur police station on charges of misconduct.

Deputy Commissioner of Police of Bhubaneswar Prateek Singh has, however, refuted allegations against the police saying both the Army officer and his woman friend were intoxicated and in inappropriate state when they arrived at the police station to lodge a complaint of road rage. He said, the lady misbehaved with the officers at the police station and slapped a woman officer and bit her fingers when she tried to stop her. A case was registered against both the Army officer and his woman friend. The lady was subsequently arrested under several sections.