A storm of outrage has erupted in Odisha over allegations of torture and sexual assault of an Army officer and his fiancée inside a police station. Former Chief of the Army Staff VK Singh described the incident as “shameful and horrendous,” demanding immediate action against the police personnel involved.
Singh, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), called for the Chief Minister to hold accountable those who are shielding “the criminals in police uniform.” He urged everyone to listen to the affected woman, who is the fiancée of the Army officer and the daughter of a retired Army officer.
Adding fuel to the fire, the woman, who was arrested and released on bail, alleged that she was sexually harassed by the police after being taken into custody. “I don’t know what happened; they put him (army officer) in the lock-up. When I raised the voice that they cannot put an Army officer in custody as it is unlawful, two women officers started physically assaulting me,” she alleged.
She described a horrifying ordeal where she was tied up, kicked in the chest, and subjected to indecent exposure by a male officer. This harrowing account sparked widespread condemnation, with several retired Army officers criticizing the Odisha government on social media.
However, former CBI Director M. Nageswara Rao, an Odisha-cadre IPS officer, presented a different narrative. He refuted General Singh’s allegations, claiming the Army officer and his fiancée were drunk and acted inappropriately, leading to the confrontation with the police.
Rao defended the police, stating that the Odisha Police, which manages over 600 police stations, has no reason to misbehave with visitors, including Army personnel. He urged the Army to take appropriate action against the officer for conduct unbecoming of a soldier.
The Odisha government has responded to the outcry with a judicial probe into the incident and the suspension of five police officers. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, while visiting his home district, assured that his administration would take strong action against those responsible. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida visited the woman at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, where she is receiving treatment.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and requested an action taken report from the state DGP. The woman’s father, a retired Brigadier, has called for the arrest and dismissal of the police officers involved.
This incident has ignited a fierce debate about police misconduct and the need for accountability. The truth of the matter remains shrouded in conflicting narratives, but one thing is clear – the allegations of torture and sexual assault are deeply disturbing and require a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims.
