The fiancée of an Army officer, who was reportedly assaulted at a police station in Bhubaneswar, has accused the inspector-in-charge (IIC) and another officer of “sexually harassing and molesting” her.
Sharing her distressing account with the media, she stated that this happened on the morning of September 15, and claimed she was “wrongfully thrown into jail.”
“I don’t know what happened, they put him in the lockup. When I raised the voice that they cannot put an Army officer in custody as it is unlawful, two female officers started physically assaulting me. I kept pleading to them to stop but they didn’t,” she alleged on Thursday.
The woman further alleged that the police woman dragged her through the corridor, and when the officer tried to grab her neck, she fought back and bit her hand.
The police personnel then put her in a room after tying her hands and legs, she alleged. “After some time, a male officer opened the doors and kicked on my breasts several times and left,” the woman added.
“Then the IIC came, he lowered down my pants and his as well. Showing his private part, he asked me how much time you want to remain silent,” the woman alleged.
‘Shocking, beyond comprehension’: Naveen Patnaik
Condemning the incident as “very shocking,” former Odisha chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Friday called for a court-monitored SIT investigation and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
“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,” Patnaik stated in a post on X.
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.…— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) September 20, 2024
Patnaik, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, condemned the “heinous” act and expressed his party’s expectation that the BJP government would take the strongest possible action against all those involved.
About the case
On Sunday, the army officer posted in West Bengal and his fiancé had approached Bharatpur Police Station to file a complaint about a road rage incident involving local youths. However, they ended up arguing with the police over registering their report.
The woman was arrested for allegedly misbehaving with the officers. She was released on bail by the Orissa High Court on Thursday.
Odisha Women Commission Begins Probe
Meanwhile, the Odisha State Commission for Women (SCW) began an investigation into the incident after taking suo-motu cognisance of the alleged sexual assault case.
SCW Chairperson Minati Behera visited the Bharatpur police station on Friday to inquire about the incident, holding discussions with staff and collecting relevant case documents.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the police station, Behera said, “We have suo-motu taken the case and started an inquiry. As the crime branch has taken over the case, they took away the documents. So, we have collected whatever documents available with the Bharatpur police station.”
Behera said she will visit the victim’s house and talk to her. The commission will also visit the office of the crime branch to collect required documents and discuss with the investigating officials, she said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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