Army officer fiancée molestation: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday criticized the Mohan Majhi government over the alleged assault on an Army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar, demanding a judicial inquiry into the matter.
In a statement at the BJD office in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik expressed his shock regarding the police action, stating, “All of you have heard of what recently happened to an army major and his fiancée, at a police station here in Bhubaneswar. This is very shocking news of violence that was meted out to both of them and the alleged sexual assault on the Major’s fiancée. We demand a full judicial inquiry into this matter and action must be taken very quickly… They (BJP) have been there in government for more than 100 days; they should have had enough time to see all through this.”
The incident reportedly occurred on September 15 when the Army Major and the woman went to the police station to report harassment. Instead of receiving help, they allegedly faced torture, with the woman claiming, “When we went to Bharatpur Police Station to file a complaint, the entire police station was empty… She said if you have a problem, then go and get a medical done and bring the reports.”
The family of the Army officer and his fiancée demanded harsher penalties for the accused officers. The father of the officer’s fiancée stated, “The incident is condemnable. The police officials present at the police station have done an illegal act… They should go to jail.”
Following the outcry, retired Armed Forces officers led by Brigadier Antaryami Pradhan staged protests, calling for criminal proceedings against the accused police personnel. Five officers from the Bharatpur Police Station have been suspended in light of the allegations.