Judicial Commission Submits Report on Bhubaneswar Custodial Torture Case

A judicial commission, led by Justice Chittaranjan Dash, submitted a report to Odisha's government on the alleged torture of an army officer and sexual harassment of his fiancée by police. Set up after public outcry, the commission's investigation involved over 500 affidavits and numerous testimonies.

A judicial commission has submitted its findings to the Odisha government concerning allegations of police torture and sexual harassment involving an army officer and his fiancée in Bhubaneswar. The commission, led by retired High Court Justice Chittaranjan Dash, delivered its comprehensive 282-page report on Monday.

The commission was established in response to nationwide outrage following the incident, which occurred when the couple reported being harassed by a group of 12 people to Bharatpur police station. Instead of receiving assistance, they were allegedly mistreated by police. The report follows exhaustive inquiries that include examining 525 affidavits and countless interviews.

The case saw five police personnel suspended and both a judicial and a Crime Branch investigation initiated. The officer's fiancée, charged for allegedly misbehaving with police staff, is currently released on bail. The report signifies a step toward transparency and justice in response to the serious allegations.

(With inputs from agencies.)