Judicial Inquiry Opens into Police Assault Case

A judicial commission led by retired Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash has begun investigating the alleged torture of an Army officer and the sexual assault of his fiancée at Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar, which occurred on September 15. The commission was established by the Odisha government following public outrage and has been tasked with uncovering the facts surrounding the incident. During its first meeting, the commission announced plans to gather affidavits from involved parties within 21 days, while also reviewing the ongoing Crime Branch investigation, which has already led to the suspension of five police officers. The commission, which is expected to submit its findings within 60 days, will also conduct polygraph tests on the accused officers. The incident began when the couple attempted to file a complaint about a road rage incident and subsequently faced violence from police instead. This case has drawn significant attention and criticism towards the state's handling of police conduct and accountability.