Army officer and fiancée appear before judicial commission in Bharatpur torture case

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: An Army Major and his fiancée, who have accused the Bharatpur Police Station in Bhubaneswar of custodial torture, appeared before the judicial commission investigating the incident on Thursday. The state government established the commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, to look into the allegations made by the couple.

The Army Major, who is stationed with the 22nd Sikh Regiment in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, and his fiancée were allegedly assaulted by police officers at Bharatpur Police Station on September 15. The couple had gone to the station to file a complaint regarding a road rage incident involving some miscreants in the early hours of the morning.

Reports indicate that the suspended IIC Dinakrushna Mishra and four other police personnel accused in the case did not appear before the commission. Instead, their lawyers represented them during the proceedings.

The judicial commission, chaired by retired Justice Chittaranjan Dash, had directed all parties involved to appear. Lawyers representing the individuals accused of harassing the Army officer and his fiancée also participated on their behalf.

A total of 16 individuals were summoned to appear before the commission, either personally or through legal representation. The commission is set to begin receiving testimonies after verifying the affidavits, with over 500 affidavits reportedly submitted in connection with the case.