Odisha assault case: Judicial probe into alleged torture of Army officer & sexual assault of his fiancee intensifies

The Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash, has intensified its investigation into the alleged assault of an Army officer and sexual assault of his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar.

The Commission of Inquiry conducted its second meeting in this regard on Friday. Home Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Special Secretary of Home Department Radha Krishna Sharma, Crime Branch ADG Vinaytosh Mishra were present at the meeting. Apart from them, two investigating officers, DSP Nilima Panda and Narendra Behera, were also present. 

As per sources, polygraph tests of the suspended five police officials including former IIC of Bharatpur police station have been conducted at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. Besides, brain mapping and narco-analysis tests of former IIC of Bharatpur Police Station-Dinakrushna Mishra have also been conducted.

The Commission has been reportedly informed about the development of the Crime Branch investigation into the incident. Detailed information about the investigation so far was presented before the Commission.

After the completion of the meeting with the Commission, Crime Branch ADG Vinaytosh Mishra informed that lie detection tests of all the police officials were conducted at Gandhinagar in Gujarat. He further said that brain mapping and narco-analysis tests of former IIC of Bharatpur Police Station Dinakrushna Mishra have been conducted and the reports are awaited.

Also Read | Odisha Assault Case: State govt issues formal gazette notification for judicial inquiry into custodial torture of Army Major, his fiancee

“The Commission was informed about the development of the Crime Branch investigation into the incident in the meeting,” said Crime Branch ADG Vinaytosh Mishra.

The Commission also reviewed the development of the investigation. Following the completion of the meeting. Commission Secretary Subhendu Mohanty said that information was collected from the Crime Branch officials about the development of the investigation. As the Crime Branch has received no reports from Gandhinagar, the officials could not inform anything about it.

Meanwhile, the statement of the victim has been reportedly recorded before the Magistrate. However, Crime Branch ADG Vinaytosh Mishra informed that the statements of the accused police officials are yet to be recorded before the Magistrate.

Some affidavits have been submitted before the Commission. Checking of the affidavits and summon process will start after the Commission receives all the affidavits within the stipulated time following which necessary actions will be taken.

“Lie detection tests of all the police officials have been conducted. Brain mapping and narco-analysis tests of Dinakrushna Mishra have also been conducted. We will request to submit the reports as early as possible by considering its urgency,” said Crime Branch ADG Vinaytosh Mishra.

“A meeting was held to review about the development of the investigation process into the Bharatpur case. After receiving all the affidavits, necessary actions will be taken,” said Commission Secretary Subhendu Mohanty.

Must Read | Odisha Assault Case: Affidavits will be sought, Army officer and other parties to be quizzed, says Judicial Inquiry Commission chairman

Meanwhile, hearing the anticipatory bail petition of the four police personnel except IIC Dinakrushna Mishra, Orissa High Court on Friday declined to grant interim security to them.

SI Baishalini Panda, ASIs Sagarika Rath and Salilamayee Sahu, and Constable Balaram Hansda had filed anticipatory bail petitions in the Court.

Moreover, the High Court has directed the police to submit the case diary. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for the next week.