In a case of police brutality in Odisha, an officer and his fiancée went to the police station to file a road rage complaint. The torture incident narrated by the woman was shocking. The officer’s fiancée accused the police of not only tying his hands and feet but also beating him. In fact, serious allegations such as pulling off pants, exposing private parts, and threatening rape also occurred from time to time.
The incident concerns Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. The officer who faced police brutality is part of the Sikh Regiment. His fiancée runs her own restaurant in Bhubaneswar. The woman told the news agency, “I was returning home after the restaurant closed at around 1 pm. Then some youths misbehaved with me. We wanted to seek help from the police and went directly to the Bharatpur police station.
Female police officers also behaved inappropriately
The officer’s fiancee further said, “When we reached Bharatpur police station, a woman officer in plain clothes was there. We asked the police to register an FIR and send a patrol car to nab the miscreants. But instead of helping us, the woman officer started misbehaving with us. After some time, a few more policemen came to the police station and asked the officer to file a complaint.
Army officers detained
The woman said: “The police were angry about something. They locked up my fiancé (an officer). I told the police that it was against the law and that the police could not detain officers. As soon as I said that, two female police officers started beating me. When he tried to grab my neck, I bit his hand.
Kick in the chest again and again
The woman filed a serious sexual harassment complaint against the agency, telling it, “After beating me, the female police tied my hands and feet and locked me in a room. After a while, a male police officer opened the door. He kicked me in the chest again and again. He took off my pants. After that, the police officer took off his pants and started showing me his private parts. The police asked me how long do you want to remain silent? The woman also accused the police officer of threatening her with rape. Let us tell you that the officer’s fiancée is a lawyer and entrepreneur. His father is a retired brigadier general.
The criminal department has started investigating the case
A five-member Crime Branch team led by Superintendent of Police Narendra Kumar Behera had gone to the Bharatpur police station to investigate the incident. The team questioned the employee for more than four hours. However, problems arose during the investigation as there were no CCTV cameras installed at the police station and IIC Dinakrishna Mishra was also absent during the interrogation.
What actions have been taken on this matter so far?
> Five police officers of Bharatpur police station have been suspended. The suspended police officers include IIC Dinakrishna Mishra, Sub-Inspector Baislini Panda, ASI Salilamoyi Sahu, Sagarika Rath and Constable Balram Handa.
> In view of the incident, the National Commission for Women has sought an actionable report from the Attorney General. A formal letter has been sent to the DGP, asking him to provide a report within 3 days. The policemen have been taken in for investigation. The Odisha Police has ordered a high-level inquiry into the matter. The CID will investigate the matter.
> Senior military officers have spoken to the Odisha chief and government over the matter. According to the Army, it is illegal to detain serving Army officers without informing the nearest Army unit.
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