BHUBANESWAR: The Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice (Retd) Chitta Ranjan Dash, a former judge of the Orissa and Calcutta High Courts, has initiated its investigation into the alleged assault of an Army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar.
The Commission commenced its work from an office established at the Special Circuit House on Monday (30th September). Odisha’s Director General of Police (DGP), YB Khurania, and other senior officials were present during the beginning of the probe. The Odisha government has already provided the terms of reference for the Commission of Inquiry.
The Commission’s Secretary announced that affidavits would soon be requested from the involved parties and anyone else with pertinent information about the incident. A notification will be issued tomorrow, allowing affidavits to be submitted within the next 21 days.
Following the receipt of these affidavits, examination procedures will commence, including the recording of statements. The parties involved will subsequently be summoned to appear before the Commission.
After completing its investigation, the Commission will submit its report to the Odisha government, as stated by the Secretary.
It is important to note that on September 15, the Army officer and his fiancée initially approached the Bharatpur police station to file a complaint regarding road rage, in which they were allegedly harassed by local youths. However, a verbal altercation ensued between the couple and some policemen, leading to the officer and his fiancée allegedly being assaulted at the police station.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with the opposition attempting to hold the Odisha government accountable. In response to the alleged custodial assault on the Army Captain and his girlfriend, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered a judicial probe headed by Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash, which has generated national attention. The Commission has been tasked with submitting its findings to the government within 60 days.
Additionally, amidst the public outcry, the Odisha DGP ordered a Crime Branch investigation and suspended five personnel, including the IIC of the Bharatpur police station, on charges of gross misconduct.
Lie Detector Tests Conducted on Suspended Officers in Gandhinagar
Meanwhile, the IIC of the Bharatpur police station, along with four other suspended officers, underwent lie detector tests at a forensic laboratory in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on Monday. A three-member Crime Branch team had previously sought permission from the SDJM court in Bhubaneswar to take them to Gujarat.
Suspended Officers Seek Anticipatory Bail in Orissa High Court
Five police officials from the Bharatpur police station, including Inspector-In-Charge Dinakrushna Mishra, who were suspended due to the alleged assault of an Indian Army officer and his fiancée, sought anticipatory bail from the Orissa High Court on Monday.
In an attempt to avoid arrest and potential prosecution, the IIC and the four other police officers reportedly approached the Orissa High Court seeking anticipatory bail, according to sources.
