Odisha CM Orders For Judicial Probe Into Bharatpur ‘Custody Assault’ Case

 Bhubaneswar: With the custody assault of an Army officer and his fiancée triggering nationwide outrage, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday ordered for a judicial probe into the incident under Justice Chittaranjan Dash.

“After returning to Bhubaneswar following the 3-day Keonjhar visit, the CM held a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan and ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. The said inquiry will be conducted by Justice Chittaranjan Das. The Commission has been requested to submit its report within 60 days,” a CMO release said.

In addition, the ongoing Crime Branch probe will be monitored by a High Court Judge. “The High Court has also been requested to expedite the criminal investigation under its direct supervision,” it said.

Stating that the chief minister gives utmost importance to the rule of law, the release said the state government has tremendous respect for the Indian Army. “The government is committed to take stringent action against all those proved guilty in the incident,” it said, adding that the erring police personnel have been suspended and cases filed against them.

It further said that action has also been taken against the youths who harassed the Army officer and his fiancée.

This came two days after former chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik demanded a court-monitored SIT probe and a judicial inquiry into the alleged sexual assault of the army officer’s fiancée in police custody. “The way an Army Captain and a lady were treated in Bharatpur police station is shocking and beyond comprehension. The manner in which police have allegedly treated them has shaken the conscience of the country,” he said.

Also Read; Odisha ‘Custody Torture’ Case: BJP Govt Scoffs At Naveen Patnaik’s Judicial Probe Demand

The woman was allegedly assaulted, molested and flashed inside the police station. In a desperate attempt to defend herself, she allegedly bit one of the officers. She was subsequently arrested for creating fracas and assaulting a woman cop. Meanwhile, the Army officer was thrown into a lockup, making him helpless and unable to intervene.

The BJD had also called for a six-hour bandh in Bhubaneswar on September 24 over the issue. Women groups and rights activists had also been demanding immediate criminal proceedings and arrest of police officials involved in the incident.

Also Read: Odisha Custody Torture Case: BJD Calls For Bhubaneswar Bandh On Sept 24

Besides directing for a Crime Branch probe amid the furore, Odisha DGP Y B Khurania had earlier suspended five personnel, including the IIC of Bharatpur police station on charges of gross misconduct.

Also Read: Odisha Crime Branch Mulls Polygraph Test To Unravel Truth In ‘Custody Assault’ Case

Police, however, have refuted these allegations. Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh on September 17 said that both the Army officer and his fiancée had arrived at the police station in an “inappropriate state”. “They started talking to the officer in an aggressive manner and shouted at him. The lady misbehaved with the officers at the police station. It appeared that she was intoxicated. She started threatening the officers. The lady slapped a woman officer and bit her fingers when she tried to stop her. When she could not be controlled, the IIC came and she also misbehaved with him. His male friend started arguing as well. Under such circumstances, a case was registered against them. The lady was arrested subsequently under several sections,” Singh had told the news agency ANI.

The woman was granted bail by the Orissa High Court on September 18, following which she held a press briefing and narrated her ordeal.