News from Bhubaneswar

In his letter, the Lt General said a grave incident occurred at Bharatpur Police Station on September 15, where the prestige of a serving Army Officer was demeaned and the modesty and dignity of his fiancé, who also happens to the daughter of a retired Brigadier, was grossly outraged by the police authorities.

While speaking to reporters, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Friday said,” The government has already directed for probe by Crime Branch. The concerned police personnel have been suspended and FIR lodged against them.”

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday predicted thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rainfall in some parts of Odisha in the coming days.

The incident has also kicked off a major political storm in Odisha, with Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik demanding a judicial probe and the BJP countering the former CM.

Launching a counterattack on Naveen Patnaik, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari on Friday said that the present BJP government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards atrocities against women.

On Friday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also expressed concerns over the incident and targetted the new BJP government in the state.

When asked, 'it took 24 years for the government in Odisha to change and how long it will take for the Congress to form government in the state', the Congress MLA said that the party is trying its best to come to power in the state.

In a recent development, the fiancée of Indian Army officer Major Gurvansh Singh from the Sikh Regiment alleged sexual harassment by on-duty officers at Bharatpur police station. Speaking after a health check-up at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, she recounted being physically and sexually assaulted by police officers including the IIC. The incident began when miscreants obstructed them on September 15, leading them to seek help at the police station.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has requested an action taken report from Odisha DGP YB Khurania regarding the alleged assault and arrest of Major Gurvansh Singh and his fiancée at Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar. The NCW, taking suo motu cognisance of custodial abuse allegations, expects disciplinary action within 3 days. The DGP has already suspended five officers including IIC Dinakrushna Mishra.

The new BJP government in Odisha, led by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, is committed to establishing medical colleges in every district headquarters. Speaking to the media, Mahaling highlighted plans for new institutions and recruitment of faculties. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also reiterated this commitment, aiming to improve medical education statewide.

In her X (formerly Twitter) handle, the victim informed that she had recently visited Khandagiri caves with one of her cousins. In her post, the victim further narrated her ordeal.

The IMD has predicted that several parts of Odisha will experience light to moderate rain and thunderstorms with lightning activities in the coming days

The concerned senior Economics associate professor at Utkal University has been asked not to leave the headquarters.  The student had earlier alleged that she had experienced the ordeal on August 16.

Though Odisha Police suspended five cops including the Inspector In Charge (IIC) of Bharatpur police station on charges of gross misconduct, retired officials of the Armed forces on Wednesday staged a demonstration demanding stringent action against the erring officials.

The Commissionerate Police has transferred Bharatpur police station IIC Dinakrushna Mishra and two other cops to facilitate a fair investigation into the alleged assault of Indian Army Major Gurvansh Singh and his fiancée. The transfers come after DGP YB Khurania ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident.