Rourkela: Justice A S Naidu Commission probing the alleged assault on a judicial magistrate by police here in April began its inquiry in the steel city on Saturday.
The state government had appointed the commission to probe allegation of assault by police on first class judicial magistrate Arun Patnaik on the night of April two.
Justice Naidu visited Patnaik`s residence in Uditnagar area under Uditnagar police station and Rourkela Government Hospital to verify station diary entry of police station and medical document regarding treatment given to magistrate.
The inquiry was conducted in presence of parties in the case -- the judicial magistrate himself, the then Rourkela SP Diptesh Patnaik and a member of Rourkela Bar Association.
Hearing has been fixed at Cuttack on September 11. At least 36 affidavits have been filed so far to appear before the Naidu commission. Ten had been filed by lawyers of Rourkela Bar association, 22 on behalf of policemen, one by All Orissa Judicial Officer`s Association and three by the judicial magistrate Patnaik.
After the incident, Inspector-in-charge of Uditnagar police station Sadananda Pujari was placed under suspension.
The Rourkela Bar Association had observed Rourkela Bandh on April eight demanding suspension of the then Rourkela SP and action against policemen involved in `assaulting` the magistrate. The state Government had asked the SP to go on leave from April seven.