Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court on Monday issued a directive prohibiting the publication of names of the Army official and his fiancée through electronic, print, or social media in the Bharatpur police station assault case.
The High Court had taken Suo Motu cognizance of the incident that happened at Bharatpur police station and ordered the state government against further publication of names of army official and his fiancée in media.
The High Court’s decision came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) based on the assault on an army official and his fiancée.
The court expressed concern over the alleged custodial abuse and torture of the couple, who had visited the police station to file a complaint regarding a road rage incident. Instead, they were allegedly meted out torture by police personnel.
The court, however, made it clear that it will not interfere in the matter as the AG has informed that the state government has ordered a Judicial Inquiry into the matter.
The Odisha government has informed the Court regarding the suspension of five police officials and Crime Branch is also investigating the matter.
The court expressed its displeasure after coming to know that 57 police stations out of 650 police stations in the state have no CCTV cameras.
To ensure transparency, the Orissa High Court directed the ADG to submit a status report on CCTV cameras at police stations across the state. The court also appointed Goutam Mishra as Amicus Curiae to oversee the case.
It is learnt that the next hearing of the case will be held on October 9.
The High Court also asked the government to take steps to ensure that all necessary facilities are available at police stations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
