Bharatpur Police Station Case : Orissa HC orders not to reveal names of Army officer, partner

The Orissa High Court has issued an order prohibiting the media and social media platforms from disclosing the names of an Army officer and his fiancée, who were reportedly assaulted by the police at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar. This decision was made during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the case. The court has chosen not to intervene in the investigation, as the state government has already initiated a judicial probe. Additionally, the Crime Branch is conducting its investigation, as confirmed by the Advocate General.

Furthermore, the court has instructed the ADG (Modernisation) of Odisha Police to provide a status report on the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations across the state, noting that the Bharatpur police station did not have CCTV cameras at the time of the incident. The Odisha Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi, has called for a judicial inquiry to be led by Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash, and the investigation report is expected to be submitted within 60 days.

The High Court has also been urged to expedite the Crime Branch investigation under its supervision. The incident occurred on September 15, around 2 AM, when the Army Major and his fiancée visited the Bharatpur police station to report a complaint after being harassed by some individuals. However, they were allegedly mistreated and assaulted by the police personnel at the station. The woman further alleged that the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) attempted to sexually assault her at the police station. The Odisha Crime Branch has registered a case against five police officers based on the Army officer’s complaint. The accused officers include former Bharatpur IIC, Sub Inspector, WASI and Constable.

Earlier, Odisha DGP YB Khurania had suspended the five accused police personnel.