In the latest development in the alleged custodial torture of an Army official and his female friend in Bharatpur police station of in Odisha's Bhubaneswar city, the Orissa High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. It has been alleged that the police illegally detained and tortured an Army officer and a woman friend accompanying him. 


The Army man belongs to the 22 Sikh Regiment of Indian Army and his female friend is a practising lawyer. After the case came to light, it triggered severe public outrage over police atrocities. 


The high court initiated the suo motu proceedings in the case after Lieutenant General PS Shekhawat, General Officer Commanding & Colonel urged the Chief Justice to take cognizance, LiveLaw reported.


According to the couple, they went to the police station on the night of 15 September, to file a complaint against a group of persons who had a scuffle with the couple on their way back home. However, instead of registering the complaint, the police personnel present in the police station assaulted both the persons.


Subsequently, an FIR was lodged against the couple. Though the lower court denied bail, the lady was granted bail by the High Court on September 18. The high court ordered treatment of the woman in the AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, who has been grievously injured.


 The state had informed the high court that the erring officials have been suspended pending the inquiry and ensured a fair enquiry into the incident.


Subsequent to the incident, there has been a series of allegations and counter-allegations between the victims and the police authorities. 


On Monday, the Mohan Majhi government had ordered a time-bound judicial probe into custodial abuse of an Army officer and his fiancée in a Bhubaneswar police station.


The State Home Department issued a notification saying, “whereas it has come to the notice of the State government that cases and counter cases have been lodged alleging misbehavior and assault on a woman and a serving army officer inside Bharatpur Police Station. The government is deeply concerned about the issue and are of the opinion that, this being a matter of serious public importance, should be inquired into by a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.”


Previously, the National Commission for Women had taken suo motu cognizance in this case.