‘Stripped, assaulted’: Army officer’s fiancée on ordeal at Odisha police station

Chilling details have emerged of the ordeal faced by an Army officer and his fiancée, who was allegedly sexually assaulted at Bhubaneswar’s Bharatpur police station. The incident happened when they had gone to lodge a complaint against miscreants who had waylaid them when they were returning home in Bhubaneswar on September 14.
The woman, who was also arrested by the police, was granted bail by the Odisha High Court on Thursday considering the gravity of the allegations. As the incident triggered nationwide outrage, Odisha Police suspended five officers, including the Inspector-in-charge of Bharatpur Police Station.
Here is a timeline of the events:
September 14: Midnight
A peaceful evening turned into a nightmare for an Army officer and his fiancée as they were returning home in Bhubaneswar. The couple was suddenly chased by a group of unidentified goons. Fearing for their safety, they rushed towards the nearest police station.
September 15: 1 am
Breathless and scared, the couple arrived at the police station to file a complaint. However, little did they know that the worst was yet to come.
September 15: Between 1.30-3 am
In a horrific turn of events, the couple alleged that they were brutally assaulted by the police officers. The woman alleged that she was stripped, sexually assaulted and physically tortured.
She said her legs were tied with a scarf and her hands were bound by her own jacket. She was then allegedly dragged through the corridors by her hair. In a desperate attempt to defend herself, the woman allegedly bit one of the officers. She was subsequently arrested by police officers.
Meanwhile, the Army officer was thrown into a lockup, making him helpless and unable to intervene.
September 16
After the Army learnt about the incident, it raised an alarm with the Odisha government.
September 17
In response to the mounting pressure and outrage, the government transferred the case to the Crime Investigation Department (CID). A high-level investigation was ordered, acknowledging the severity of the assault and misconduct by the police.
September 18
As the investigation gained momentum, five police officers involved in the assault were transferred and subsequently suspended. The Odisha High Court also granted bail to the woman who was wrongfully charged and arrested by the police.
September 19
The woman, still recovering from her physical injuries and emotional trauma, was finally released from custody. Upon her release, she recounted her harrowing ordeal to the media. She suffered several injuries, including dislocation of her jaws.
September 20
An FIR was officially lodged against the five police officers after the Army officer filed a formal complaint.