SDPO’s slapping of woman: Victims move Malkangiri SDJM court against cop

The slapping of a suspected lady ganja dealer by Chitrakonda SDPO seems to have snowballed into a full-fledged controversy after the victims moved to the Malkangiri SDJM court against the police official on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, the victim’s counsel, Gobinda Patra said, “A fact-finding team from the Pradesh Congress Committee have investigated the allegation.”

As per reports, the SDPO, Anshuman Dwivedi had assaulted a tribal woman over Ganja smuggling on June 7 earlier this year. A minor girl, a pregnant woman and an elderly person were also reportedly beaten by the SDPO.

Odisha Assembly on Wednesday witnessed adjournments after Opposition parties -- Congress and BJP -- created a ruckus over the issue. Congress raised the issue in the House today demanding explanation and action-taken report from the government.

Following the ruckus, Jagannath Saraka, Minister of State of Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribe development condemned the incident and assured of strict action against the SDPO as per law.

Commenting on the issue, he said, “This is indeed a sad incident. But, we have to probe into the circumstances that led to such an incident. Action will be taken after the probe.”

Meanwhile, MoS (Home) Tusharkanti Behera had informed Crime Branch IG to take charge of probe into the incident.

Welcoming the decision, lawyer, Patra further said, “This is the right decision to hand over the probe to the Crime Branch, because the slapping of a woman by a police official is unconstitutional and condemnable.”