Inquiry Commission on Army Officer Assault to Report by February 28
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Synopsis
The inquiry commission led by Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash into the alleged torture of an army officer and his fiancée at a police station in Bhubaneswar will submit its findings by February 28, 2025. The investigation concluded on February 5, 2025, but further witness interrogations were sought.
Key Takeaways
- The inquiry is led by Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash.
- Report submission is due by February 28.
- Investigation concluded with 35 police witnesses.
- Requests for more time to interrogate witnesses were made.
- Crime Branch reports pending for review before submission.
Bhubaneswar, Feb 5 (NationPress) The commission led by Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash that is investigating the alleged mistreatment of an army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar on the night of September 14 and 15 last year, has confirmed that its report will be finalized by February 28.
In a briefing to the press, Subhendra Mohanty, the secretary of the CR Dash Commission, stated that the investigation concluded on Wednesday, and the findings will be presented to the government by February 28.
He mentioned that the attorney representing the army officer and his fiancée was scheduled to question 35 police personnel, including the former IIC of Bharatpur Police Station, Dinakrushna Mishra, who provided affidavits supporting the accused police officers.
However, the couple's lawyer requested additional time, seeking the commission's consent to interrogate the 35 police witnesses by February 15.
“The commission has asked the government for an extension until April 2025, but the state government has directed the commission to deliver the inquiry report by February 28. Given the limited timeframe to question 35 witnesses, the inquiry process was concluded today, with a report to be submitted based on the existing evidence by February 28,” Mohanty explained.
He also informed the media that the Crime Branch has not yet provided the results of the narco-analysis, polygraph, and brain fingerprinting tests for five police officials to the commission.
It is anticipated that these examination results will be shared before the inquiry report is submitted to the state government by the end of this month.
According to reports, the army officer and his fiancée had visited the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar to file a complaint regarding an incident of road rage that occurred during the early hours of September 15, 2024.
During their visit, a confrontation took place between the police, the army officer, and his friend at the station. The army officer was reportedly assaulted by the police officials on duty, while three female officers forcibly took his fiancée into a police cell. Reports indicate that several male officers, including the ex-IIC of Bharatpur Police Station, allegedly beat and molested her at the station.
