September 21st 2024.
In a recent development, the Odisha Police Association has made a request for the immediate withdrawal of suspension orders on five police officers who were allegedly involved in a case of "torture" and "sexual harassment" of an Army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur Police Station in Bhubaneswar. The association's organising secretary, Umesh Chandra Sahu, expressed his disappointment over the incident and stated that since the investigation is still ongoing, there is no justification for suspending the officers. He firmly believes that they should not be suspended until proven guilty.
Sahu, while addressing the media in Cuttack, called for the speedy revocation of the suspension orders and urged for the reinstatement of the officers as soon as possible. His sentiments were echoed by a group of retired police officers who also met with Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda to raise similar concerns. Retired officer Suryamani Tripathy pointed out that it is unfair to suspend the officers before they are found guilty and stated their intention to approach higher authorities such as the DGP, Home Secretary, and Chief Minister to demand the withdrawal of the suspensions.
Another former officer cautioned against demoralizing the police force by suspending their colleagues without concrete evidence. These calls for the reinstatement of the officers came just a day after the father of the woman involved in the case demanded the immediate arrest and dismissal of the police officers responsible, accusing them of violating several laws by unlawfully detaining an Army officer and physically assaulting his fiancée while in custody.
In response to the incident, DGP YB Khurania took swift action and suspended the five police personnel, including the former IIC of Bharatpur police station, Dinakrushna Mishra, on charges of gross misconduct towards the Army Major and his fiancée. The other suspended officers are sub-inspector Baisalini Panda, ASI Salilamayee Sahoo, ASI Sagarika Rath, and Constable Balaram Hansda, all of whom were present at the police station during the incident.
The Odisha Police Association and the retired officers stand united in their stance that the suspended officers should be reinstated until their guilt is proven. They hope that their voices will be heard by the higher authorities and that justice will prevail for all parties involved in this unfortunate incident.
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