Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Police has lifted the suspension of four officers, who faced disciplinary action for allegedly torturing an Army officer and his fiancée at Bharatpur police station here.
In an official notification issued on the day, the State Police Headquarters stated that SI Baisalini Panda, ASIs Salilamayee Sahoo and Sagarika Rath and constable Balaram Hansda were released from suspension with immediate effect.
It, however, did not mention the reason for withholding the suspension of former Bharatpur IIC Dinakrushna Mishra. They were suspended on September 18, 2024, for gross misconduct.
On September 15, 2024, the couple visited the station around 2 am to report a road rage incident, requesting a police van to apprehend the culprits. Instead of assisting, the police allegedly tortured them, with claims of sexual assault against the woman in custody. Commissionerate Police, however, maintained that the two had misbehaved with on-duty police personnel at Bharatpur police station.
Following widespread outrage over the incident, the state government suspended five officers, including the station’s inspector-in-charge, and initiated a judicial inquiry and a Crime Branch investigation.
In March, the Judicial Commission headed by retired Orissa High Court judge, Justice Chittaranjan Dash submitted its 282-page probe report to the Home department. The panel examined 525 affidavits and questioned five persons during the course of inquiry which started on October 1.
