Barang/Cuttack: The Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of Odisha Police on Tuesday initiated an investigation into allegations of third-degree torture of Rakesh Behera, a resident of Chandiprasad village, while in police custody at Barang Police Station.
Acting on the directions of the Director General of Police YB Khurania, a three-member HRPC team led by ASP Souvagya Laxmi Pattnaik visited Barang Police Station and conducted an inquiry into the incident.
The team held discussions with Cuttack Additional DCP Ranjit Kumar Prusti and ACP (Zone-IV) Amitabh Mahapatra for nearly half an hour. Speaking to reporters, Pattnaik said CCTV footage and relevant documents would be requisitioned as part of the investigation, while a technical team would collect and examine the footage.
Earlier in the day, the HRPC team visited SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and met the injured Rakesh Behera, who is undergoing treatment there. According to Pattnaik, doctors informed the team that his condition was stable. The investigators, however, did not interact with any of his family members during the hospital visit.
The team later visited Cuttack Sadar Police Station, where it examined documents related to the FIR registered against Rakesh before returning.
The case also drew political attention, with Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das visiting Rakesh at SCB Medical College and Hospital. Das alleged that the incident reflected a breakdown of the rule of law in the state and claimed that the police were attempting to portray custodial torture as an accident.
“It is evident that third-degree torture took place inside the police station. Rakesh survived what could have been a fatal incident, but the real culprits have not been arrested yet,” Das said. He demanded stringent action against the police personnel found guilty and urged law enforcement authorities to act with greater sensitivity and professionalism.
Meanwhile, Rakesh’s mother-in-law said his health condition was gradually improving under continuous medical supervision. However, she strongly disputed the police version of events, alleging that the claim of an accident was false.
“My son-in-law was subjected to third-degree torture inside the police station. If no such torture occurred, why was the IIC transferred? I will reveal everything at the appropriate time,” she said, adding that she was currently refraining from making detailed allegations out of concern that it could affect the treatment being provided to Rakesh.
The allegations have triggered widespread public and political scrutiny, while the HRPC investigation is expected to determine the circumstances leading to Rakesh Behera’s injuries.
