Army officer assaulted, fiancée molested at Odisha's Bharatpur police station: Developments so far in 10 points

The alleged assault of an Army officer and molestation of his fiancée by cops in Bharatpur police station of Bhubaneswar has sparked outrage across the country. The Army officer's fiancée claimed she was tortured by Bhubaneswar police at Bharatpur station while attempting to file a complaint against hooligans. She alleged being stripped, kicked, and falsely accused of assaulting a lady officer. Five policemen have been suspended, and the crime branch is conducting an investigation.

Here are all the things to know about what happened so far in the case:

• Odisha Chief Minister's office has tweeted, "The government has taken the allegations of misbehaviour and assault against an Army officer and a woman accompanying him at the Bharatpur police station very seriously. As soon as the incident came to the notice of the government, appropriate departmental actions as per law were immediately initiated."
• The CMO added, "As the incident is very sensitive, the Crime Branch has been directed to investigate the matter immediately and submit a report within a stipulated time frame. After the investigation report is received, the guilty will be punished as per the law. The government has a 'zero tolerance' policy towards violence against women and harassment of women in any form will not be tolerated".
• Taking suo-motu cognisance of the alleged sexual assault of a fiancé of an army officer in Bharatpur police station, the Odisha State Commission for Women (SCW) on Friday started an investigation into the incident.
• Former CM Naveen Patnaik has demanded a judicial probe into the incident. Talking to mediapersons at the BJD office, Patnaik described the incident as very "unfortunate". He said, “There must be a full judicial probe and action must be taken quickly."
• Meanwhile, former chief secretary Bijay Patnaik demanded exemplary action against the ‘erring’ inspector in charge of Bharatpur. Congress slammed the BJP on Friday over the alleged sexual assault of the Army officer's fiancée in Odisha police custody. INC leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remarked that in BJP-ruled states, police forces are turning from protectors to predators.BJP Leader Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said the government has taken the crime very seriously and has been taking strong action in the matter. Tripathy said the opposition should refrain from politicising the sensitive issue.
• BJP Leader Biranchi Narayan Tripathy said the government has taken the crime very seriously and has been taking strong action in the matter. Tripathy said the opposition should refrain from politicising the sensitive issue.
• On Wednesday, the Odisha Police suspended five personnel in connection with the alleged assault of an Army officer and “molestation” of his fiancée at Bharatpur Police Station in BhubaneswarAccording to an order issued by Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania, the five police personnel have been suspended on the charge of gross misconduct.
• A group of women activists held a protest in front of the Police Bhavan on Friday, demanding arrest of the accused police personnel involved in the alleged sexual harassment of the Army officer's fiancée.
• 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.
• A case was registered at the Chandaka Police Station against unidentified persons who allegedly misbehaved with the Army officer and the woman.
• The woman, who was arrested by the police on charges of assaulting them, was released on bail on orders of the Orissa high court on Wednesday. The high court will hear her plea to cancel the first information report (FIR) filed against her and the Army officer on September 26.

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