Odisha Police Suspends 5 Officers Over Alleged Custodial Assault, Sexual Harassment of Army Officer, Fiancée

Sep 20, 2024, 05:49 AM

An Indian Army officer and his fiancée, Ankita Pradhan, have alleged custodial assault and sexual harassment by police personnel at Bharatpur Police Station in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The incident reportedly occurred on September 15 after the couple went to the station to file a complaint following a road-rage altercation. The Odisha Police have transferred the case to the Crime Branch-CID for investigation. Five police officers involved in the incident, including Inspector-in-Charge Dinakrushna Mishra, have been suspended. The fiancée was allegedly stripped, kicked, molested, and suffered nasal bleed, bruises, and abrasions. The Odisha government has taken the allegations seriously, initiating legal and departmental actions. The Orissa High Court has granted bail to the fiancée, who has been shifted to AIIMS for treatment. A judicial inquiry has been demanded by former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The National Commission for Women has also demanded a detailed report on the incident.