The Odisha police has suspended five police personnel, including an inspector-rank officer, after a woman restaurant owner alleged sexual harassment by cops while she and her Army officer friend were under custody. The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and has sought a report from Odisha police.
The victim woman, talking to presspersons alleged a group of miscreants attacked her and her Army officer friend while returning home after closing the restaurant. The woman said though they approached Bharatpur Police Station to file a complaint, the police were non-cooperative and the woman constable on duty abused her.
"When we reached the police station to lodge a complaint, a woman constable was there in civil dress. We approached her to lodge our complaint and send a patrol vehicle to arrest the miscreants. Instead of helping us, she abused me," the woman alleged.
The National Commission for Women takes suo motu cognisance of allegations made by an Army officer and his lady friend regarding their custodial abuse by Odisha Police. A formal letter has been sent to the DGP, requesting an action taken report within 3 days. Urgent disciplinary…
— NCW (@NCWIndia) September 17, 2024
The woman said a few more personnel later arrived and asked her Army officer friend to write a complaint. “I don't know what happened, they put him in the lock-up. When I raised the voice that they cannot put an Army officer in custody as it is unlawful, two female officers started physically assaulting me," she alleged, PTI reported.
The woman alleged she was overpowered when she tried to fight back and police personnel put her in a room after tying her hands and legs. "After some time, a male officer opened the doors and kicked on my breasts several times. He lowered down my pants and his as well. Showing his private part, he asked me how much time you want to remain silent," she alleged.
However, Odisha police said the woman and her Army officer friend were drunk and attacked a police personnel while he was on duty. Police alleged the duo vandalised the police station.
Five cops, including an Inspector-rank officer, have been suspended pending a disciplinary procedure for "gross misconduct", NDTV reported.
Meanwhile, taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the National Commission for Women has sought a report from Odisha police chief on the incident. “The National Commission for Women takes suo motu cognisance of allegations made by an Army officer and his lady friend regarding their custodial abuse by Odisha Police. A formal letter has been sent to the DGP, requesting an action taken report within 3 days. Urgent disciplinary action is expected,” it tweeted.
