Bhubaneswar: An Army Major and his fiancée have alleged custodial torture and molestation at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar. The Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) has ordered a Crime Branch probe into the matter to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Sunday when Major Gurvansh Singh, posted in West Bengal, and his fiancée, Ankita Pradhan, a local techie, visited the police station to file a complaint against a group of hooligans who had allegedly abused and assaulted them. According to Army sources, the couple was met with hostility and abuse by the police personnel on duty.
The couple claims that the police refused to take immediate action and insisted on a written complaint. When they demanded to speak to higher authorities, the situation escalated. Ankita was allegedly taken to another room by a female officer, where she was stripped, molested, and assaulted. Major Singh was also reportedly manhandled and detained for over 10 hours before being released following intervention by Army authorities.
Contrarily, the police have denied these allegations, stating that the couple was intoxicated and uncooperative. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prateek Singh, the couple misbehaved with the on-duty personnel, and Ankita attacked a female officer and damaged property. The police claim that two liquor bottles were found in the couple’s car, and they refused to undergo a breathalyzer test.
The Odisha DGP has taken serious note of the allegations and ordered a Crime Branch investigation to ascertain the facts and ensure justice. The probe will look into the conduct of the police personnel involved and the veracity of the claims made by both parties.