Orissa HC orders Crime Branch probe into police-lawyer brawl

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today directed for a Crime Branch probe into alleged incident of assault on a lawyer by police personnel in Cuttack that sparked off widespread protests across the State with several bar associations resorting to cease-work.

As per the direction, a DSP rank officer of the Crime Branch will investigate the brawl incident involving a lawyer and cops which snowballed into a major controversy with Orissa High Court Bar Association demanding arrest of those involved in the brutal attack on their colleague.

On August 28, lawyer Debi Prasanna Pattnaik was allegedly beaten up in public view at Shastrinagar in Nuabazar by few police personnel. Next day, a police vehicle parked near Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) office was also torched during a High Court Bar Association protest against the incident.

Three police personnel including two constables- BK Samal and UK Bhuyan and Havildar PK Behera have been suspended by Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police, Akhileshvar Singh for 'police excess'.