The judicial commission investigating the alleged torture of an Army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancée at a police station in Bhubaneswar has concluded its inquiry, an official confirmed on Wednesday.
Commission secretary Subhendra Mohanty stated that the inquiry was completed in accordance with the mandate to submit a report by February 28. The commission was established by the state government in response to the shocking incident, which occurred during the night of September 14, 2024, when the Army officer and his fiancée were allegedly assaulted while in police custody at Bharatpur police station.
Retired high court judge CR Dash, appointed as the commission’s chairperson, conducted the inquiry amid national outrage over the allegations. The commission gathered over 500 affidavits from individuals connected to the case, recording statements from the Army officer, his fiancée, the accused police officials, and other witnesses.
In addition to personal accounts, the commission meticulously examined evidence and testimonies. Initially set to conclude by January 31, the commission’s deadline was extended to February 28, 2025, to ensure a thorough review.
In response to inquiries, Mohanty indicated that the report will outline those responsible for the incident and provide recommendations to the state government on preventing similar occurrences in the future.
However, the lawyer representing the Army officer’s fiancée requested additional time until February 15 to question the accused police officials and 35 witnesses. Due to time limitations, this request could not be accommodated, as clarified by Mohanty.
The troubling incident arose when the couple visited the Bharatpur police station to report a road rage complaint, resulting in a heated argument with the police. Their subsequent treatment in custody ignited significant controversy, leading to the suspension of at least five police personnel.
