The Odisha Police has suspended five officers, including the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Bharatpur Police Station, for the alleged assault and harassment of an Indian Army officer and his fiancee.
In an official statement, the Odisha Police confirmed the suspension of IIC Dinakrushna Mishra, Sub-Inspector Baisalini Panda, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Salilamayee Sahoo and Sagarika Rath, and Constable Balaram Handa.
"During their suspension, the officers will remain under the disciplinary control of the Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, and will receive subsistence and dearness allowances in accordance with Rule 90 of the Odisha Service Code," the statement read.
The suspension comes after the police transferred IIC Mishra and two other officers from Bharatpur Police Station to ensure an impartial investigation. Mishra was reassigned to the Deputy Commissioner of Police's office in Bhubaneswar, while ASI Sahoo and Constable Handa were sent to the DCP office and Reserve Office, respectively.
The swift action follows a Crime Branch probe, ordered by Director General of Police YB Khurania, into the allegations.
ALLEGATIONS OF BRUTALITY
The incident came to light when an army officer and his fiancée were allegedly assaulted at Bharatpur Police Station after attempting to report a road rage incident. The couple claimed that they were harassed by some people while driving.
Upon reaching the police station to file a complaint, they were allegedly mistreated, with the officer being detained and his fiancée assaulted. Disturbingly, the IIC reportedly threatened the woman with further violence.
The Indian Army has taken the matter seriously, intervening after learning of the incident. The woman underwent a medical examination at Sum Hospital, confirming physical assault.
Speaking to the media after her discharge from AIIMS Bhubaneswar, the woman recounted the events of September 15. "I was physically and sexually assaulted by the police officers, including the IIC of Bharatpur," she said.
The woman explained that after closing her restaurant at around 1 am, she and her fiance were harassed by some people. They escaped and went to the Bharatpur Police Station to file a complaint.
Upon arrival at the station, the woman alleged that a female constable verbally abused them when they attempted to file their complaint. Matter escalated when a male officer allegedly locked up the Army officer, and when she protested, she was dragged by two female officers, beaten, and later tied up.
According to the woman, a male officer sexually assaulted her, followed by further harassment from the IIC.
A five-member Crime Branch team, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Narendra Kumar Behera, visited Bharatpur Police Station to investigate. The absence of CCTV footage and IIC Mishra during questioning complicated the probe.
