Odisha ‘Custody Assault’ Case: Judicial Probe Can Begin In A Week If Infra Available, Says Commission Chairman

Bhubaneswar: With the Odisha government ordering a judicial probe into the alleged custody assault of an Army officer and his fiancée, all eyes are now set on the one-man panel of Justice (Retd) Chittaranjan Das to know details of the inquiry process.

After the incident in Bharatpur Police Station in Bhubaneswar triggered nationwide outrage, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced the judicial inquiry under Justice Das, a former High Court Judge.

Speaking after being named Chairman of the judicial commission of inquiry, Justice Dash said the inquiry to be conducted as per the Commission of Inquiry Act can begin within a week once the necessary infrastructure and staff are made available.

Stating that the process can begin after receipt of the reference letter, Justice Das told a local news channel that the Commission will frame issue for every party to get justice if there is open reference. The panel will hear all, including the road ragers, Army officer, his fiancée and police officials, and seek affidavits from them.

The probe will then start as per the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, he said, adding that the inquiry process is likely to start within a week if the state government provides necessary infrastructure, office staff and other requirements.

While the state government and Commission will appoint counsel, public notice will also be issued and time given for filing affidavits to ensure a fair probe, Justice Das said, adding that the way the probe will move can be clearly specified only after studying the reference.

Details of the line of inquiry will be decided after going through facts and other aspects of the matter.

He said the judicial probe is different from the investigation being conducted by the Crime Branch and both can  continue simultaneously. While judicial probe is a fact fact-finding inquiry to examine who is at fault, how the incident took place, what was its genesis and what recommendations can be given for future reference, the Crime Branch investigation is completely separate and its process is totally different, Justice Das said.

On being requested by the government to submit the report within 60 days, he said the probe panel will have to seek affidavits, and examine them as per Commission of Inquiry Act and if all the concerned extend cooperation, the report can be submitted within the stipulated time.

Regarding several videos that are going viral on social media, he said videos are electronic evidence and can be doctored and manipulated.