BHUBANESWAR, Sep 23 : The Orissa High Court on Monday directed that the names of the Army Major and his fianc?e cannot be published in any electronic, print, or social media in connection with the Bharatpur police station case.
A division bench of the court, comprising Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Sabitri Ratho, issued the directive while taking suo motu cognizance of a letter from Lieutenant General P.S. Shekhawat, General Officer Commanding, as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
In his letter, Lieutenant General P.S. Shekhawat drew the attention of the Orissa High Court Chief Justice to a grave incident that occurred on September 15 at Bharatpur Police Station.
He claimed that the dignity of a serving Army officer was demeaned, and the modesty of his fianc?e, who is the daughter of a retired Brigadier, was grossly outraged by the police authorities.
He stated that the unfortunate incident took place when the Army officer and his fianc?e went to the police station to file a complaint against miscreants who had misbehaved with the couple around 1 AM.
Shekhawat further mentioned that instead of offering the expected protection and support, the officers on duty acted in a manner unbecoming of their position. He alleged that not only was the lady humiliated and molested, but the Army officer was also disrespected and kept in custody for nearly 14 hours without any charges.
He added that Bharatpur Police Station does not have a CCTV system installed, which is a violation of the Supreme Court guidelines.
The division bench directed the ADG Modernization to submit a status report on the installation of CCTV cameras in police stations across the state. It also appointed senior advocate Goutam Mishra as Amicus Curiae to assist the court in the matter.
The Orissa High Court was informed by the government that out of 650 police stations in the state, CCTV cameras have been installed in 593 stations. In 57 police stations, however, the installation was not completed as they had been relocated to new buildings.
The government also informed the court that five police officials have been suspended and that a Crime Branch inquiry as well as a judicial probe, headed by a retired High Court judge, have been ordered into the Bharatpur Police Station incident.
The Orissa High Court expressed concern over the incident and stated that it would ensure all necessary facilities are available at police stations. However, the division bench clarified that the court would not interfere with the ongoing investigation into the matter.
The Odisha government had requested the High Court for a court-monitored investigation to expedite the Crime Branch inquiry ordered by it into the incident.
(UNI)
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