Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial probe into the alleged custodial torture of an Army officer and his fiancee inside a police station in Bhubaneswar. The state government is committed to taking strict action against all persons or officials found guilty, said the CM.
The order for a judicial probe was issued by the CM after a discussion with his deputy CM K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Pritihiviraj Harichandan and senior officers, reported PTI.
The judicial inquiry will be presided over by Justice Chittaranjan Das and the report will be filed within 60 days, a statement by the Chief Minister's Office said.
The Majhi government has also requested the Orissa High Court to supervise the investigation being carried out by the Crime Branch of the Delhi Police.
CM Majhi emphasised on rule of law while saying that the state government respects the Indian Army. "The state government is fully concerned about the dignity, safety and rights of women," the CMO said in its statement.
The alleged incident took place on September 15 when the Army officer and his fiancee approached Bharatpur police station to get a complaint of road rage registered in which they were allegedly heckled by some local youths.
However, a verbal altercation took place between the couple and some policemen after which the officer and the woman were allegedly assaulted.
Five police personnel linked to the incident were suspended by the state government and a case has been registered against them over the charges of torturing the Army officer and sexually harassing the woman.
The state government also said that the youths who allegedly harassed the couple were arrested and produced in court.
Biju Janata Dal chief and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik called for a court-monitored SIT probe into the incident and the opposition party has also called for a bandh in Bhubaneswar on September 24, Tuesday.