Naveen Patnaik Demands Judicial Probe into Alleged Assault of Army Officer and Fiancee in Odisha

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], September 20: Former Chief Minister of Odisha and Leader of the Opposition, Naveen Patnaik, has called for a judicial probe into the alleged assault of an Indian Army officer and his fiancee at the Bharatpur police station. Patnaik emphasized the need for immediate action regarding the alleged violence and sexual assault that occurred during their visit to file a complaint against harassment.

While addressing a press conference on Friday, Patnaik said, “Regarding the violence that was meted out to both of them and the alleged sexual assault on the major’s fiancee, we demand a full judicial inquiry into this matter, and action must be taken very quickly.”

The incident reportedly occurred on September 15, when the Army Major and his fiancee went to the Bharatpur police station to report harassment by miscreants while returning from a hotel late at night. Instead of addressing their concerns, the police allegedly tortured the Major and the woman, even incarcerating her without justification.

Patnaik criticized the current BJP government, saying that they have had sufficient time to address public concerns. He recalled how, during his administration, he and his ministers would address complaints against the police. “As they (the BJP) have said, they have been in government for more than 100 days and have had enough time to address these issues. During our tenure, we implemented a system where I and my ministers would call police stations to ask if there were any complaints by people who visited the police station,” he said.

Earlier, the woman’s father demanded the termination and imprisonment of the police officers involved in the alleged assault. “Five police officials have been suspended for the heinous crime they committed, but suspension is not enough. They must be terminated from service and jailed. This is what we are demanding from the government. We also request the government to train and sensitize the police so that they treat citizens properly rather than assaulting them,” he said.

The woman further alleged sexual abuse by the station’s inspector-in-charge, alleging that she was beaten and kicked by other male officers at the police station. “When the ACP arrived at the station, we told him everything, but he shouted at us and tried to prove us wrong. Around 8 AM, I asked to go to the hospital, and some police officers accompanied me. At the hospital, it was confirmed that my jaw and teeth were broken, and tests were conducted. Later in the day, when we returned to Bharatpur Police Station, they informed me that an FIR had been filed against me for assaulting and abusing police officials. Around 8 PM, I was taken in a police van for what they said was paperwork, but I was not informed if I was being taken to jail or if an FIR had been filed against me,” she added.