Odisha Assault Case: CM Majhi, Law Minister meet with victim

Khordha (Odisha) [India], September 23 (ANI): Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan on Monday met with the woman who was allegedly assaulted, along with her fiance, an Army officer, at the Bharatpur police station. The meeting took place at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.
Speaking to ANI, the woman said that Chief Minister Majhi has assured her that she will be given justice.
"Today, after meeting the CM where he gave me a patient audience and hearing, he has heard all my grievances and till date my complaint remains those 7 Bhatapur Police officials who wronged me and molested me. He has assured me with a judicial inquiry that I will be given justice...I told him that I could face possible threats because already the Police officials have come there twice and intimidated my staff. So, I also told him about the same episode. He assured me that if the need be, in future protection would be provided to run a simple way of restaurant," she told ANI.
She added that Chief Minister Majhi also assured her that women will be safe in the state in the future, with zero tolerance for any wrongdoing towards women.
"He has assured and ensured that in the future, women are going to be absolutely safe in this state and zero tolerance towards any wrongdoings towards women will be taken...With all these words that he had promised me, I do feel relaxed. I will be happy when the justice will be provided to me through this judicial inquiry. I am happy that he gave me a patient hearing," she added.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan also met with the woman's father. Her father while speaking to ANI, thanked the Odisha government and Chief Minister Majhi for initiating a judicial inquiry.
Her father says, "State Government has ordered a juridical inquiry. So, we thank Odisha Government & CM that he heard us. Two days back we saw a Police personnel demonstration. That had put doubt in our minds about whether the Police investigation would be fair. To clear that doubt, the State Government has ordered a judicial inquiry. I think this is happening for the first time in history that judicial inquiry will be completed within 60 days in a time-bound manner."
"CM has assured us that security would be provided so that if a woman steps out even at 2 am in the night, she feels safe. There can be issues at our restaurant due to this case, so he has assured us that there won't be any such problem. He has assured us that it will be kept secure and that the restaurant can be operated without any issue," he added.
The incident took place on September 15 when the Army Major and the woman went to the Bharatpur police station to complain against some miscreants who had harassed them while returning from a hotel late at night. Instead of addressing their concerns, the police allegedly tortured the Major and the woman, even sending her to jail without any justification.
In response to the incident, the state government has suspended five police officials, including the Inspector Charge (IIC) of Bharatpur police station, in connection with the incident and ordered a Crime Branch probe in this regard. (ANI)