A retired Indian high court judge has been appointed to investigate disturbing allegations that a 32-year-old woman was physically and sexually assaulted by police inside a station in Odisha, India. The woman, a law graduate and restaurant owner, claims that on September 15, she and her fiancé, an army officer, sought help at Bharatpur police station after being harassed by a group of men. Instead of assistance, the police allegedly abused them.
In a harrowing video shared widely on social media, the woman, visibly injured, recounted the ordeal. She alleged that two female officers beat her, dragged her by her hair, and tied her up. According to the woman, a male officer then entered the room, stripped her, and threatened to rape her if she continued to scream for help.
The incident has sparked national outrage, leading to the suspension of four police officers and the transfer of a fifth. Odisha’s crime branch opened an investigation following the uproar. Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra, who granted the woman bail, condemned the police for not adhering to legal procedures during the arrest. The judge also criticized the lower court for denying her bail initially, calling the allegations “serious” and a violation of democratic principles.
The woman’s fiancé was held in custody for 14 hours without charge, prompting a formal complaint from the Indian army. Many army officials have expressed solidarity with the woman, whose father is a retired army brigadier, intensifying public demands for justice.
Despite public outcry, reports surfaced that some have attempted to victim-shame the woman, questioning her character due to her consumption of alcohol and her clothing. However, women’s rights activist Namrata Chadha, who visited the woman in the hospital, called this response “heart-breaking” and emphasized the importance of standing by victims rather than blaming them.
The Odisha government has appointed retired Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash to lead the inquiry, with a report expected in 60 days. Many are now questioning the safety of women in police custody, with activists arguing that the case underscores a much larger issue of police misconduct, particularly when dealing with women. Chadha voiced concerns about what this means for ordinary women seeking help at police stations, noting the failure of basic protocols meant to protect victims.
The seven men accused of harassing the couple were arrested and released on bail, while the investigation into the woman’s allegations against the police continues.