CM Mohan Majhi orders judicial probe into 'torture' of Army officer, fiancée at Odisha police station

TNN / Updated: Sep 23, 2024, 09:29 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Chief minister Mohan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into allegations of torture and sexual assault involving an Army officer and his fiancée at Bharatpur police station. Justice Chitta Ranjan Das will lead the investigation, expected to conclude within 60 days. The Odisha government has suspended five police officers implicated in the case.

CM Mohan Majhi orders judicial probe into 'torture' of Army officer, fiancée at Odisha police station

Odisha chief minister Mohan Majhi

BHUBANESWAR: CM Mohan Majhi on Sunday night ordered a judicial probe into the Sept 15 Bharatpur police station incident. An Army officer and his fiancée were allegedly tortured in the police station and the woman reportedly subjected to sexual assault.
Justice Chitta Ranjan Das will head the panel, a govt statement said. The commission has been requested to submit a report within 60 days.
The govt also requested the Orissa HC to directly monitor the ongoing crime branch investigation into the case.
Majhi emphasized the rule of law and expressed respect for the Indian Army. "The state government is fully concerned about the dignity, safety and rights of women," the CMO statement said on Sunday evening.

In response to the incident, the Odisha government suspended five personnel from the Bharatpur police station and registered a case against them for allegedly torturing the army officer and sexually harassing his fiancée.
The incident reportedly occurred on September 15 when the army officer, who is posted in West Bengal, and his fiancée went to Bharatpur police station to file a road rage complaint. A verbal altercation ensued between the couple and the police, leading to the alleged assault.

BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik called for a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and a judicial inquiry into the matter, and announced a Bhubaneswar bandh on September 24 in protest.
(With agency inputs)

We also published the following articles recently

Naveen Patnaik seeks judicial probe into 'torture' of Army officer, fiance at Odisha police station
Political pressure is rising on Odisha CM Mohan Majhi following allegations of assault on an Army officer and molestation of his fiance by police in Bhubaneswar. Former CM Naveen Patnaik and ex-chief secretary Bijay Patnaik demand a judicial inquiry and immediate action against the officers involved, stressing the importance of accountability.

Odisha orders judicial probe into 'torture' of Army officer, fiance
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has ordered a judicial probe into the alleged torture and sexual assault of an Army officer and his fiance at Bharatpur police station. The Orissa high court will oversee the Crime Branch investigation. Suspended police officers and other involved individuals face strict action, with a report due in 60 days.

I was sexually abused by IIC, others at Bharatpur police station: Army officer's fiancee
An Army officer's fiance recounts being tortured and sexually abused by police at Bhubaneswar's Bharatpur station. She alleges that the inspector-in-charge and other personnel mistreated her after she tried to file a complaint against hooligans. Granted bail by the Orissa high court, she demands justice as a crime branch probe begins.

End of Article