Outrage in India over allegations of sexual assault in police station

A retired Indian high court judge will investigate allegations that a woman was physically and sexually harassed by a group of police inside a police station in the eastern state of Odisha, officials say.

Four policemen, including three women, were suspended after allegations made last week by the 32-year-old woman and her fiance – an army officer – sparked a furor. The fifth policeman was transferred. The action comes after the state's crime branch launched an investigation into the matter.

Warning: This report contains details that some may find disturbing..

A video of a law graduate, who runs a restaurant in the state capital Bhubaneswar, detailing her alleged mistreatment by the police in the early hours of September 15, has been shared several times on social media.

The footage makes for a difficult watch.

In a wheelchair, with a collar around her neck and one arm tied around her neck, the woman breaks down repeatedly as she tells reporters what happened to her.

She said that she went to the Bharatpur police station with her fiance after closing her restaurant at around 01:00 as they were harassed by a group of men on the street.

He asked the police to quickly send a patrol car to intercept the men who could not go far.

“The police refused to take our complaint, instead they abused us. When I told them that I am a law graduate and know my rights, they got even angrier.

She alleged that the situation escalated after the police put her fiance in lock-up.

“When I protested, two female officers started pulling my hair and beating me. I kept begging them to stop. But they dragged me into the corridor and one of them strangled me. When I fought back, they tied my hands and legs and locked me in a room,” she said, crying.

“A male officer came in and took off my bra and started kicking me in my breasts. Around 6 p.m., the officer in charge of the police station came into the room. He pulled my pants down. He then put his pulled down my pants and threatened to rape me several times until I stopped screaming for help,'' she alleged.

Reports in the Indian media last week quoted the police as saying that the army officer and his fiancée had arrived at the station drunk and the woman had become aggressive. He is alleged to have slapped a policewoman and bit another officer.

He was arrested and taken into custody by a magistrate.

But three days after the alleged assault, the High Court released the woman on bail and criticized the police and the lower court that jailed her.

Justice Aditya Kumar Mahapatra said, “On a careful perusal of the record, it appears that the charges are of a very serious nature… they are anathema to the very concept of a democratic and orderly society. The procedure laid down in law while arresting him.” .

Justice Mahapatra said he had been informed by the government counsel that “stern action has been taken against the erring police officers… and appropriate action will be taken against those found guilty”..

He added that the magistrate also “failed to use his judicial mind” in denying the woman bail.

Since then, many people in India have taken to social media to express their anger at the alleged police brutality. A large number of ex- and serving army personnel have shared the viral video of the woman and pledged their support in her fight as her father is a retired army brigadier.

The Indian Army has also written a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court in Odisha saying that “a serving officer was detained for almost 14 hours without charge” and “due to the serious incident… His dignity was insulted”. .

“The modesty and dignity of his fiancee, who is also the daughter of a retired brigadier, was deeply resented by the police authorities,” the letter added.

Her father, who told the BBC he spent hours that night trying to find his daughter, said police had not even told him or his family about the charges against his daughter. .

“Some army officers told me that my daughter had been arrested and sent to jail. I was allowed to meet her only the next afternoon,” he said. “I hope we get justice.” “

The state government said it “respects the Indian Army” and is “concerned about the dignity, safety and rights of women”. It has nominated retired Justice Chitta Ranjan Dash to conduct an inquiry and submit a report within 60 days.

Crime Branch official Narendra Behra told the media that the woman's allegations are being investigated and her statement has been recorded. Seven persons were arrested by the police for harassing the couple and released on bail.

Some people on social media commented on the woman's outfit while others questioned the “character of a woman who fights with men and drinks alcohol”.

Lawyer and feminist Namrata Chadha, who visited the woman in hospital, told the BBC it was “heartbreaking to see this kind of victimisation”.

“He has an injured shoulder, a cut on his face and swelling around his eye. He is very traumatized. His eyes watered several times while talking to me. I told him, ' You have to face them all with courage.' She said that she will fight till the end.

Ms. Chadha says that when a woman files a complaint, the police have to follow standard operating procedures.

“It is their duty to listen to her patiently. They are trained to deal with her if she is aggressive or agitated. They are to offer her a glass of water, to calm her down. But she The allegation shows that basic principles have not been followed.

Also, how come there were no CCTVs when the Supreme Court of India made it mandatory for every police station? she asks. The police station in question was opened only four months ago and is supposed to be a role model for other stations in the area.

Ms. Chadha says the case has received a lot of attention because the woman is from a privileged background.

“But no one knows what happens in this – and other – police stations when ordinary women go for help.

“We tell our daughters that if you are in trouble, go to the nearest police station. We tell them that this is the second safest place after their home. Now what do we tell them? Where does a woman go now?”

Additional reporting by Subrata Kumarpati in Bhubaneswar

If you are affected by sexual assault problems and are in the UK You can contact the BBC Actionline here.