Bhubaneswar: Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik Friday demanded a court-monitored SIT probe and a judicial inquiry into the alleged sexual assault of an army officer’s fiancé in police custody.
Patnaik, the leader of opposition in the Assembly, condemned the incident and termed it as “very shocking”.
He said that the incident indicates “incompetence” of the BJP government in the state.
“All have heard of what recently happened to an Army Major and his fiancé at a police station here. This is very very shocking news of the violence that was meted out to both of them and the alleged sexual assault on the Major’s fiancé. We demand a full judicial inquiry into this matter and action must be taken very quickly,” Patnaik said.
The BJD chief said his party condemned the “heinous” act and expected the BJP government to take the strongest possible action against all those involved.
“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,” Patnaik wrote on X.
The Odisha Police Wednesday suspended five personnel in connection with the alleged assault of the army officer and “molestation” of his female friend at Bharatpur Police Station in Bhubaneswar.
According to an order issued by Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania, the five police personnel have been suspended on the charge of gross misconduct.
Meanwhile, a group of women activists held a dharna in front of the Police Bhavan here on Friday, demanding arrest of the accused police personnel involved in the alleged sexual harassment of the Army officer’s fiancé.
The army officer posted in West Bengal and his female friend had approached Bharatpur Police Station early Sunday to lodge an FIR of road rage in which they were allegedly harassed by some local youths.
At the police station, the duo got engaged in a “quarrel” with the personnel over the registration of an FIR, a source said.
The woman, who was arrested in Bhubaneswar for allegedly misbehaving with the police, claimed that she was sexually harassed after being taken into custody, the source added.
She was Thursday released on bail granted by the high court.
The woman, who is at present undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, said some more personnel arrived at the police station and asked her friend to write an FIR.
“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,” she alleged on Thursday.
The woman said she tried to fight back and bit on the hand of a policewoman when she tried to get hold of her neck.
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. 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.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the National Commission for Women sought an action taken report from the DGP.
“A formal letter has been sent to the DGP, requesting an action taken report within 3 days. Urgent disciplinary action is expected,” the NCW posted on X.
PTI