Odisha ‘Custody Torture’ Case: CM Assures Stern Action, Deputy CM Summons DCP

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has taken the allegations of attack and torture on an army officer and his woman companion very seriously, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Friday.

Taking to X, the CM said, “Departmental action and necessary legal steps were taken as soon as the matter came to the notice of the state government.”

As the incident is very sensitive, the Crime Branch has been directed to investigate the incident immediately and submit a report within the specified time frame, the CM added.

Majhi further said that as soon as the investigation report is received, the guilty will be punished as per the law.

“The government has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against violence against women and harassment of women will not be tolerated in any form,” the CM added.

On the other hand, Deputy CM (also Women and Child Development Minister) Pravati Parida  summoned Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh and sought a report on the case.

Parida will meet the army officer’s fiancée after the discussion with Bhubaneswar DCP and is likely to brief mediapersons on the case in evening, sources said.

Naveen Patnaik Demands Judicial Enquiry

Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik today demanded a judicial inquiry in this case of alleged sexual harassment in police custody.

Terming the incident as “incompetence” of BJP government in the state, the former CM said, “The way an Army Major 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. This has happened to a serving Army Officer and a lady within Odisha. BJD strongly condemns this heinous act and expects the BJP Government to take the strongest possible action against all those involved.”

“We demand a full judicial inquiry into this matter and action must be taken very quickly,” Naveen added.

Cuttack-Barabati MLA Meets Victim

Congress MLA Sofia Firdous demanded immediate arrest of police personnel involved in the alleged assault. She urged the state government to initiate criminal action against the police officials responsible for the incident.

“It is a failure of the system. The case was suppressed owing to the Prime Minister’s visit to Odisha. It is high time the government takes serious action in this matter,” said Firdous after meeting Ankita Pradhan (the victim) at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar today.