‘IIC kicked on breasts’: Army officer’s fiancée recounts chilling details of ‘custodial torture’

Days after being arrested for allegedly misbehaving with police in Bhubaneswar, the fiancée of an Army officer has recounted her harrowing experience in lockup, while alleging that she was sexually harassed in custody and that the Inspector In-Charge kicked on her breasts and flashed her.

The allegations have led to the suspension of five police officers including the Inspector-In-Charge of the Bharatpur Police Station.

The woman, who was granted bail by the Orissa High Court on Wednesday, is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.

The incident

The victim, who is engaged to an Army Major of the Sikh Regiment, in an interaction with the media on Thursday (September 19) alleged that at around 1 am on September 15, she and her fiancé were heckled by a group of youth in cars in an incident of road rage, while returning home after closing her shop.

When the couple went to Bharatpur police station to lodge a complaint, she said the personnel there misbehaved with them and even physically assaulted them instead of helping.

She said when she reached the police station to lodge an FIR, a female constable was there in a nighty.

“We approached her to lodge the FIR and send a patrol vehicle to catch the miscreants. Instead of helping me, she abused me," the woman alleged.

‘Army officer was dragged into lockup’

The woman said she requested the lady constable to file a complaint or to send a patrol team to find the youths, but the latter instead misbehaved with them.

“When I tried to tell her that I am a lawyer and it’s her duty to file an FIR, she fumed at me. Moments later, another lady officer and other staff reached the police station in a patrol vehicle,” she told Indian Express.

She said these police personnel asked her fiancé to write a complaint, but immediately took him into custody.

"I don't know what happened, they put him in the lockup. 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.

‘IIC kicked on my breasts, took off my pants’

The woman said the women officers dragged her by the hair and beat her. She tried fighting back and bit on the hand of one personnel when the latter tried to choke her.

The police personnel then put her in a room after tying her hands and legs, she alleged.

"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.

In his complaint to the Additional Director General, Crime Branch, which is probing the case, the Army officer has alleged that his fiancée was dragged into a room, stripped and assaulted by four men and three women police personnel including the station’s IIC.

“The IIC sexually harassed and molested my fiancée, and I could hear the screams for 30 minutes,” he told IE.

He has also alleged that while he was writing the complaint, he was dragged by four police officers to a cell where they removed his pants and took his belongings including his wallet, phone, Army identity card and car keys.

Army intervention

The couple was released after the Army intervened. The major was released, and his fiancée was sent for medical checkup. During her checkup at Sum Hospital, it was found that she had been brutally assaulted.

The woman was released on bail by the Orissa High Court on Wednesday.

NCW takes suo motu cognisance

Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the National Commission for Women sought an action taken report from the DGP.

"A formal letter has been sent to the DGP, requesting an action taken report within 3 days. Urgent disciplinary action is expected," the NCW posted on X.

Meanwhile, a case was registered at the Chandaka police station against unidentified persons who misbehaved with the Army officer and the woman.

IIC, 4 others suspended

In the wake of the allegations, Odisha Police have suspended five police personnel including Bharatpur police station’s IIC Dinakrushna Mishra.

The other suspended personnel are SI Baisalini Panda, ASI Salilamayee Sahoo, ASI Sagarika Rath and Constable Balaram Handa.

The Crime Branch, probing the case has filed a case of sexual assault against Mishra and some other officers on charges of assaulting the Army officer and molesting his fiancée.

The department has also launched a manhunt for the youths who misbehaved with the couple on the night of the incident.

In his incomplete complaint, the Army officer alleged that 10 to 12 miscreants who came in three cars intercepted their car near Pathargadia area and threatened him and his fiancée of dire consequences.