New Delhi: The Army is set to take up the “shocking custodial misconduct, molestation, and assault” of a Captain from the Sikh Regiment and his fiancée, a daughter of a retired Brigadier, by the Odisha Police with the authorities concerned.
While reports, citing police sources, have appeared in Odisha that the couple had created fracas and injured four police personnel inside a police station, the Army’s situational reports and the statement given by the officer present a totally different picture.
Sources in the defence establishment said that incident occurred on the night of 14 September at about 1:30 a.m., when the couple was allegedly waylaid by miscreants in three cars.
The men, who engaged in abusive language and physical assault, fled the scene, but not before the couple managed to note down one of the vehicle’s registration numbers.
For swift action, the couple reached the Bharatpur Police Station, hoping the authorities would be of help. What then transpired at the police station has two contrasting versions.
Media reports, including that of The Telegraph, reported that the police insisted that, as per the law, the complainant should first file a report.
“Apprehending that the culprits would flee the spot, the Major insisted that the police rush to the spot first, and he would lodge the complaint later. Sources said it led to an altercation,” the daily reported.
Incidentally, the newspaper identified the Army officer as “a Major”.
“Infuriated over the police behaviour, the Major allegedly attacked police inside the police station and in the process four constables sustained injuries. Police also said a female sub- inspector was allegedly bitten by the Major’s girlfriend,” the report said, adding that police alleged that the officer was in an inebriated state.
This turn of events was carried by other media outlets as well.
However, according to the couple’s account, which was registered by the Army, the police at the station not only refused to act immediately but also demanded that they first submit a written complaint. They said a written complaint can be registered only when the station in-charge, who was not present, arrives, according to the couple.
Frustrated by the alleged inaction, the couple insisted on speaking to higher authorities, which reportedly aggravated the situation, leading to a heated argument between the two sides.
What followed allegedly was a series of distressing events. Amid the altercation, the fiancée was taken by a female police officer to a separate room where she was purportedly stripped, molested, and physically assaulted.
Simultaneously, the Army officer was allegedly manhandled, detained for over 10 hours, and released only after the Army authorities intervened at a high level. This, the sources said, was after the Captain managed to inform his colleague.
(This is an updated version of the report with correct designation of Army officer)
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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