Five Odisha police officers suspended after alleged assault on Army officer’s female friend
PTC News Desk: An Army officer’s fiancée, who was arrested last week on charges of assaulting police officers and later released on bail, has now alleged that she was sexually harassed, while her fiancé was unlawfully detained at a police station near Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Five police personnel, including an Inspector, have been suspended following the incident, with Odisha Police Headquarters citing “gross misconduct” and launching a disciplinary inquiry.
The woman reported that she and her fiancé had been attacked by a group of men late Sunday night as they were returning home from her restaurant, which she had just closed at 1 a.m. Seeking assistance, they went to the Bharatpur Police Station, but found only a female constable in civilian clothes, who allegedly refused to help.
According to the woman, the constable verbally abused her, and after more officers arrived, they demanded a written statement from her fiancé. Following this, the Army officer was allegedly thrown into a jail cell without cause. When she protested the unlawful detention, the woman claimed she was physically assaulted by two female officers. She stated that, though she tried to resist, she was overpowered, tied up, and locked in a room.
She further alleged that a male officer later entered the room, kicked her repeatedly in the chest, and sexually assaulted her. She also accused the Inspector-in-charge of making obscene gestures.
In contrast, the police claimed that the woman and her fiancé, who is associated with the 22 Sikh Regiment in Kolkata, were intoxicated and had assaulted an on-duty officer, as well as vandalising property within the station.
Following the accusations, Director-General of Police YB Khurania ordered an investigation into the woman’s complaint of being harassed by hooligans. A formal complaint has been filed at the Chandaka Police Station, and the woman has received medical treatment for her injuries, which included a fractured arm.
Videos of the woman in a neck brace and arm sling have been widely shared online, in which she can be seen tearfully recounting the ordeal. The National Commission for Women has taken suo moto notice of the case and has demanded an urgent report from the police, calling for disciplinary action. Additionally, the Odisha Police Crime Branch has been tasked with conducting a full investigation.