In a recent development regarding the ‘assault and arrest’ of Indian Army officer Major Gurvansh Singh of the Sikh Regiment and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station, the woman made a shocking revelation about her ordeal at the station on September 15. She has accused on-duty police officers of sexual harassment during her initial interaction with the media.
Following a medical examination at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on September 19, the fiancée of the army officer, speaking to the media, alleged, “I suffered physical and sexual assault at the hands of on-duty police personnel, including the Bharatpur Police Station IIC.”
The victim who arrived at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on September 19 evening for treatment recounted her ordeal to the media, tears streaming down her cheeks. She said, “When I was returning home after closing my restaurant at 1 am on September 15 with Gurvansh , a group of miscreants in a vehicle waylaid us and attempted to attack us. After managing to escape, we went to the Bharatpur police station to file an FIR about the incident.”
“The lady constable, dressed in a nightie and alone at the police station’s reception desk, refused to help me despite my repeated requests to file an FIR against the hooligans who had threatened us. I explained that they could still be following us, but instead of assisting, she verbally abused me. When I reminded her of her duty as a police officer and mentioned my profession as a lawyer, she became even more hostile towards me.” Said victim.
“Shortly after, additional female and male officers arrived at the station. They forcibly put Gurvansh in the lockup, which I knew was unlawful. I protested, but two female officers violently assaulted me, pulling my hair. Despite my pleas, they dragged me through the corridor. In self-defense, I bit one officer’s hand when she grabbed my neck. The police then restrained me by tying my hands with my jacket and legs with a scarf. In a disturbing escalation, a male officer kicked me in the chest after removing my innerwear.” added the victim lady.
At around 6 am, the IIC came and started assaulting me sexually,” she said as tears continued to roll.
Notably, the woman victim who was arrested by the Bharatpur police on September 15 for allegedly misbehaving with police, fetched bail from the Orissa High Court on September 18. “I thank Orissa High Court, the Army authorities, media and AIIMS, Bhubaneswar for their support for which I am free now. I was wrongfully thrown into jail,” claimed the woman friend of the army officer.
Odisha Police suspended 5 cops for assaulting Army Officer and Fiancé
Five police officers of Bharatpur Police Station, including Inspector-In-Charge (IIC) Dinakrushna Mishra, have been suspended on charges of gross misconduct. This action follows allegations that an Indian Army officer of Sikh Regiment, Major Gurvansh Singh, and his fiancée were mistreated and assaulted by police officers when they visited the station to report a road rage incident.
According to a notification released by Odisha Police on September 18, Bharatpur IIC Dinakrushna Mishra, SI Baisalini Panda, ASI Salilamayee Sahoo, ASI Sagarika Rath and Constable Balaram Hansda have been suspended on charges of gross misconduct. ”
During the period the order remains in force, they will remain under the disciplinary control of Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and draw SA and DA admissible under Rule 90 of Odisha Service Code,” read the notification.
It’s reported that miscreants waylaid the Army Major and his fiancée and misbehaved with them when driving a car. When they went to the police station to report the incident, they were allegedly mistreated and assaulted by the police instead of being helped.
The Major was allegedly kept in the lockup and when his girlfriend voiced her protest, she was also brutally assaulted by the police. After learning about the development, Army intervened and subsequently, the Major was released and medical checkup of his girlfriend was conducted. As per the medical checkup report at Sum Hospital, the woman has been brutally assaulted.
Odisha DGP ordered Crime Branch probe
Odisha DGP had ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident on September 17. A five-member team of the Crime Branch led by DSP Narendra Kumar Behera had already started investigation.
NCW seeks report from Odisha DGP
The National Commission of Women (NCW) on September 17 sent a letter to Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania, requesting a report on the actions taken regarding the assault and arrest of Indian Army officer Major Gurvansh Singh and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar.
The Commission took suo motu cognisance of allegations made by Major Singh and his female companion concerning custodial abuse by the Odisha Police. It requested an action-taken report within three days and anticipated disciplinary measures against the officials involved.
“The National Commission for Women takes suo motu cognisance of allegations made by an Army officer and his lady friend regarding their custodial abuse by Odisha Police. A formal letter has been sent to the DGP, requesting an action taken report within 3 days. Urgent disciplinary action is expected,” the NCW tweeted.
DGP Khurania orders probe into road rage incident
Odisha’s Director General of Police YB Khurania on September 19 has ordered the police to take action against the hooligans who allegedly assaulted Major Gurvansh Singh and his fiancée in Bhubaneswar on September 14.
The DGP categorically said, “All wrongdoers will be identified and strict action will be taken against them.”
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