Bhubaneswar: Father of the woman, who was allegedly sexually assaulted in a police station in Bhubaneswar, met the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi along with his daughter (victim) this morning and thanked Chief Minister for the judicial probe order.
Apart from the father-daughter duo, the army officer and a few retired army officials, who have come in support of the victim, were also present during the meeting. Deputy Chief Minister K V Singh Deo and Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari have also attended the meeting.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, the woman’s father said, “We have requested the State government for a judicial inquiry and the government has accepted it and ordered us to complete the probe in 60 days. We thank the Chief Minister for accepting our demand.”
“As the state Police has staged a demonstration in uniform, we had doubts whether the police investigation will be impartial. Now that the government has ordered a judicial inquiry, we are happy and welcome it,” said the woman’s father, who is a retired army officer.
The victim side, during their discussion with the CM, demanded action against the persons, who are responsible for making certain videos viral with intention for assassinating the character of the lady.
They also demanded proper security for the victim woman, who runs a restaurant in the Chandaka police station area.
The State government has already ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. An independent inquiry will be conducted under the supervision of the Orissa High Court.
“For the first time, two inquiries will be conducted simultaneously. The government has said that the judicial inquiry will be completed in 60 days. The government will definitely take action on the report. No further action will be taken against the victim,” said another retired army officer, who was present in the meeting.
The retired army officers have also expressed satisfaction as the new government has heard their concerns. “This issue is not between the police and army. It is a case between the victim and the culprits. We don’t have any issue with the police as they are performing their duty,” one of them, clarified before the media.
Stating that the government has assured to give justice to them, they said some people have taken law into their hands. So, action should be taken against those persons.
The chief minister last mid-night ordered for judicial inquiry and appointed a commission of inquiry to be headed by Justice Chittaranjan Dash, a retired high court judge, an official notification said.
The state government also requested the Orissa High Court to supervise the investigation being carried out by the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police.