NEW DELHI (TDI): The Odisha state government has appointed retired high court judge Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash to investigate allegations that a woman was physically and sexually assaulted by police officers inside police station. The inquiry is set to conclude within 60 days.
The allegations were made by a 32-year-old woman and her fiancé, an army officer, prompting public outrage and the suspension of four police officials, including three women. A fifth officer was transferred as the state’s crime branch launched an investigation.
In a distressing video, the woman, a law graduate and restaurant owner from Bhubaneswar, shared her ordeal while appearing in a wheelchair with visible injuries.
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She claimed that she and her fiancé sought police assistance after being harassed on the street but were met with abuse instead. When she protested her fiancé’s detention, she alleged that female officers assaulted her, leading to her being restrained and threatened by a male officer.
Initially, police claimed the couple was intoxicated and that the woman had been aggressive. However, following her release on bail, a high court judge criticized the police’s actions, highlighting serious procedural failures.
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The Indian army expressed concern over the treatment of its officer, emphasizing the dignity of the woman, who is the daughter of a retired brigadier. Her father recounted the distress of not being informed about her arrest.
The inquiry by Justice Dash is expected to address these serious allegations. Meanwhile, the men accused of harassing the couple have been arrested and released on bail. The case has ignited discussions on social media, with some resorting to victim-blaming, while women’s rights activists emphasized the need for police to adhere to established protocols when handling such complaints.
