Odisha Police Suspends Five Officers Following Assault on Army Officer and Fiancée
On September 18, 2024, the Odisha Police took decisive action by suspending five personnel from the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar amid serious allegations of assault and misconduct involving an Army officer and his fiancée. This suspension follows a disturbing incident that occurred on September 14, when the couple sought police assistance to report a road rage incident but ended up facing harassment instead
Incident Overview
The Army officer, Captain Gurvansh Singh, and his fiancée arrived at Bharatpur police station early on Sunday morning to file a complaint against a group of local youths who had allegedly harassed them during their journey. However, instead of receiving help, they encountered hostility from the police. After a heated argument regarding the registration of their complaint, the situation escalated dramatically
Reports indicate that the officer was detained in a lockup for over ten hours while his fiancée was allegedly taken to a secluded area within the station where she was assaulted and molested by police personnel. This shocking behavior led to public outrage and condemnation from various sectors, including the Indian Army and ex-servicemen's communities
Suspension of Police Personnel
The five suspended officers include Inspector Dinakrushna Mishra, Sub-Inspector Baisalini Panda, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Salilamayee Sahoo and Sagarika Rath, and Constable Balaram Hansda. The suspension was ordered by Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania due to their "gross misconduct" during the incident. Initially, these officers had been transferred from their posts as part of an administrative response to ensure an impartial investigation
However, following sustained pressure from Army officials and senior police officers in the state, their status was escalated to suspension pending disciplinary proceedings
Investigation Developments
In light of the gravity of the allegations, the Odisha Crime Branch has initiated an investigation into the incident. A five-member team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Narendra Kumar Behera visited Bharatpur police station to gather evidence and question personnel involved in the case. This investigation aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and determine accountability among the officers involved
The Orissa High Court has also intervened in this matter by hearing petitions filed by the Army officer's fiancée. The court has ordered that she receive medical treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and directed that both her bail application and a review petition seeking to quash an FIR against her be addressed promptly
Public Reaction and Institutional Response
The incident has sparked widespread outrage across social media platforms and among civil society groups. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the allegations, calling for urgent disciplinary action against those involved in what has been described as "custodial abuse." They have requested a report from the DGP within three days concerning actions taken regarding this case
The Indian Army has expressed its serious concern over the incident, emphasizing that such treatment of its personnel is unacceptable. The Central Command issued a statement highlighting that necessary actions are being coordinated with state authorities to address this issue effectively.
