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

Deeply concerned about the alleged torture of an Army Major and the sexual harassment of his fiancee at Bharatpur police station in the state capital, the Odisha government on Monday ordered a judicial probe into the case and issued a formal gazette notification in this regard.

“This being a matter of serious public importance, the issue should be inquired into by a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952,” the notification issued by the Home Department read.

“Therefore, the State Government do hereby appoint a Commission of Inquiry consisting of Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash, Retired High Court Judge, to enquire into and report in respect of the following matters within 60 days,” it further read.

The judicial probe will mainly focus on:

1. Examining the sequence of events and circumstances alleged to have led to the incidents of alleged misbehavior/assault on a woman, serving army officer, police officers etc. leading to registration of Bharatpur PS case Nos 640/15.09.2024(CID-CB Case No.10/24), CID-CB case No. 11/24 and Chandaka PS, Case No. 315, dated 19.09.2024 of UPD Bhubaneswar.
2. The Role, Conduct, and Accountability of the Individuals/ Groups/ Authorities.
3. Any other matter connected with or incidental thereto as the Commission may consider appropriate.
4. To suggest measures to be taken to avoid the recurrence of such events in future and ensuring safety and Security of women.

Meanwhile, the state government also requested the Orissa High Court to supervise the investigation being carried out by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police. While emphasising on the rule of the law, Chief Minister Majhi said 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 a statement.

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