Odisha CM orders judicial inquiry into Army officer's 'custodial torture', sexual assault on fiancee

Odisha CM orders judicial inquiry into Army officer’s ‘custodial torture’, sexual assault on fiancee

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday (September 23, 2024) ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged torture of an Army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancée at a police station in Bhubaneswar.

The state government is committed to taking strict action against all persons or officials who are found guilty, the chief minister said.

He issued the order for judicial inquiry after a discussion with his deputy chief ministers K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Pritihiviraj Harichandan and senior officers.

According to a statement released by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the judicial inquiry will be presided over by Justice Chittaranjan Das and the report will be filed within 60 days.

The state government also requested the Orissa High Court to supervise the investigation being carried out by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police.

While emphasising on the rule of the law, Chief Minister Majhi said the state government respects the Indian Army. "The state government is fully concerned about the dignity, safety and rights of women," the CMO said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the state government has suspended five police personnel of the Bharatpur police station and registered a case against them over the charges of torturing the Army officer and sexually harassing his fiancée.