Odisha: Judicial commission launches probe into alleged torture of Army officer, assault of fiancee

Khordha (Odisha) [India], October 1 (ANI): A judicial commission headed by retired Orissa High Court judge Justice Chittaranjan Das began its probe on Monday into the alleged torture of an Army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancee at Bharatpur police station in Odisha.
According to an official press release, the judicial commission, led by Justice Chittaranjan Das, has initiated an investigation into the alleged torture of an Army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancee at Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar.
Providing details about the probe, Suvendu Mohanty, Secretary of the Judicial Commission in Cuttack, stated that the state government has formed a commission to investigate the incident at Bharatpur police station and the allegations made by the police.
He further explained that the commission has invited affidavits from those affected and from the general public. He added that anyone directly or indirectly involved in the matter can submit their statement, after which they will be summoned to present evidence.
"The state government has constituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the incidents at Bharatpur police station, where an Army officer and his fiancee were assaulted. There are also counter-allegations from the police. All these matters will be investigated by the commission, which has invited affidavits from those affected and from the general public. Anyone directly or indirectly involved can submit affidavits, after which they will be summoned to provide evidence," Judicial Commission Secretary Mohanty said.
The incident occurred on September 15 when the Army Major and the woman visited Bharatpur police station to file a complaint against 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 justification.
Last week, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan met the woman who was allegedly assaulted, at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar.
In response to the incident, the state government suspended five police officials, including the Inspector in Charge (IIC) of Bharatpur police station, and ordered a Crime Branch probe. (ANI)