A public clash has erupted between retired Army Chief General VK Singh and former CBI Director M Nageswara Rao concerning the alleged torture and sexual assault of an Army officer’s fiancée at a police station in Bhubaneswar on the night of September 15. The incident has ignited widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
General VK Singh took to social media to express his outrage over the alleged treatment of the woman, describing it as “shameful and horrendous.” He condemned the Odisha Police’s handling of the situation and demanded immediate action against the officers involved. “Everyone must listen to the daughter of a retired Army officer. What happened to her in Bharatpur police station in Odisha is shameful. The Odisha Chief Minister should take swift action against the police personnel and those shielding the criminals in uniform,” General Singh stated.
According to the victim’s account, she and her fiancé attempted to file a complaint regarding a road rage incident when they were allegedly thrashed and sexually assaulted inside the Bharatpur police station. The Army officer reportedly faced illegal detention by the police during the encounter.
In a counter-response, former CBI Director M Nageswara Rao, who is also an Odisha-cadre IPS officer, disputed General Singh’s allegations. He claimed that the Army officer and his fiancée were intoxicated and misbehaved at the police station. “An Army officer and his fiancée consumed alcohol and drove through the city late at night. They were involved in a brawl with engineering students and later created a scene at Bharatpur police station. When asked to undergo a medical examination and blood test, they refused, which is a standard part of the investigation,” Mr Rao asserted.
Mr Rao defended the Odisha Police, emphasizing that the department, which manages over 600 police stations, had no reason to mistreat visitors, including Army personnel. He urged General Singh to reconsider his stance and criticized him for prematurely condemning the police based on the alleged misconduct of one individual. “It is not appropriate for a former Chief of Army Staff and Central Minister to jump to conclusions and criticize the police for the alleged drunken misconduct of the Army officer and his fiancée,” he said.
Amid the ongoing debate, videos have surfaced on social media showing the couple involved in a physical altercation with a group of individuals. While many Army veterans have rallied in support of the officer and his fiancée, retired police officials, including Mr Rao, have defended the actions of the Odisha Police, questioning the behavior of the couple.
In response to the allegations, the Odisha government has suspended five police personnel involved in the incident and initiated a judicial inquiry. The state’s crime branch is actively investigating the claims, and the government has provided security to the Army officer and his fiancée due to the nature of the allegations.
Following a meeting with Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the woman expressed relief and hope for justice, stating her concerns for safety amid the controversy. She confirmed that both she and her fiancé had accepted the government’s offer of personal security officers (PSOs) for their protection.
Sources By Agencies