Bhubaneswar: Four days after the distressing and disgraceful incident, Army Major Gurbant Singh’s fiancée, Ankita Pradhan, came forward today to recount the harrowing experience she endured at the hands of the police. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the mistreatment she faced while seeking justice.

On Wednesday, the Orissa High Court granted conditional bail to Ankita Pradhan, who was assaulted by the police at Bharatpur Police Station. The case was heard under special mention, where Justice Aditya Kumar Mohapatra expressed the court's deep concern regarding the brutal nature of the incident. The High Court not only granted her bail but also instructed the Odisha government to ensure she receives better medical care, with all expenses covered by the state. This legal relief, while welcomed, comes amidst ongoing trauma for Ankita, who continues to recover from the ordeal.

In addition to the medical directive, the court emphasized the need for an impartial probe into the incident. The Odisha police were sternly cautioned to ensure that such egregious incidents do not repeat in the future, with the court stressing the importance of regaining the public's trust. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for September 26, a date that will likely see further developments in this disturbing case.

The incident that led to this legal action unfolded when Major Gurbant Singh and Ankita Pradhan were reportedly mistreated by miscreants in the Bharatpur Police Station area of Bhubaneswar on a late Saturday night. Following the altercation, they went to the police station to file a formal complaint, only for the situation to escalate further. What should have been a straightforward attempt to seek justice quickly devolved into a nightmarish experience for the couple.

However, instead of taking the rightful action against the miscreants who harassed the couple, the officers of Bharatpur police station turned the situation on its head. Allegedly, they not only mistreated Major Gurbant Singh and his fiancée Ankita Pradhan, but also physically attacked them. This brutal assault left Ankita injured, a shocking outcome for a couple that had merely gone to the police station to seek justice. "Cops also filed a case against the couple, claiming that they attacked them," an accusation that further deepened the injustice they faced. In a startling twist, Ankita was even arrested on charges of biting a woman police officer, a charge that appeared as a deliberate attempt to cover up the police's misconduct.

Things, however, took a different turn when Major Gurbant Singh reached out to the Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania. Recognizing the seriousness of the allegations, the DGP wasted no time in ordering a Crime Branch probe into the matter. In response, several officers, including the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Bharatpur Police Station, Dinakrushna Mishra, and Sub-Inspector Baisalini Panda, were transferred from their positions.

The details emerging from the case paint a grim picture of police brutality. "The inhuman activities of the Bharatpur Police Station personnel crossed all limits, if the allegations levelled by Ankita Pradhan, the fiancée of the Army Major, are found to be true." This shocking revelation has raised many eyebrows and cast a shadow over the reputation of the Bharatpur police, whose actions have left a scar not only on the victims but also on the larger community.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the DGP took decisive steps. He suspended Dinakrushna Mishra and Baisalini Panda, along with WASI officers Salilamayee Sahoo and Sagarika Rath, as well as Constable Balaram Hansda. These suspensions were based on a preliminary report submitted by Crime Branch DSP Narendra Behera, who had been entrusted with the investigation. The suspensions, however, are only the beginning.

A thorough "departmental disciplinary inquiry will also be conducted against the suspended cops," confirmed the DGP, signaling that the actions of these officers will be scrutinized at the highest level. This inquiry will seek to uncover the full truth behind this nightmarish series of events and hold those responsible accountable for their misdeeds.

Pradhan, visibly shaken and confined to a wheelchair at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, bravely recounted her traumatic ordeal to the media. What started as a routine night took a terrifying turn. “Some unknown people waylaid us and started to fight with us while we were returning home after closing my restaurant at around 1 AM on September 15,” she revealed. In the dead of night, the couple found themselves threatened and harassed, but managed to escape. Their natural response was to seek protection from those entrusted with public safety—the police. "Somehow, we managed to escape from there and went to Bharatpur Police Station to file a case."

However, what awaited them at the police station was not the safety they desperately sought, but a nightmare far worse than the threats they had already faced. Pradhan, with a steely resolve despite her injuries, leveled serious accusations against Inspector Dinakrushna Mishra. "The young woman alleged Inspector Dinakrushna Mishra attempted to assault her sexually at the police station." This chilling accusation highlights the depths of misconduct within the Bharatpur police, where those sworn to protect the public instead become perpetrators of violence themselves.

The incident began when Ankita and her fiancé, Army Major Guruwant Singh, were heading home after a long day. As they made their way back after closing her restaurant, a vehicle filled with miscreants began to follow them. The couple was subjected to threatening comments, the kind that makes anyone fear for their life. With no other choice, they decided to seek refuge at the Bharatpur Police Station. But even there, they found no solace.

Upon reaching the police station, Ankita encountered a shocking level of negligence. “A lady Constable wearing nighty was present at the police station and no one else was there.” At a time when they were vulnerable and frightened, the absence of responsible officers only made the situation worse. Ankita and Major Guruwant Singh urgently explained the danger they were in, expecting swift action from the police. “We requested her to register my complaint as there were several youths in the vehicle and they might follow us at any time, and so police patrolling would be helpful for us. However, instead of registering my complaint, she misbehaved with me,” Ankita painfully recounted. It is almost incomprehensible that instead of providing reassurance, the officer added insult to injury by refusing to fulfill her duty.

Desperate and disillusioned, Ankita made it clear that their lives were at risk. She even disclosed her profession, hoping that perhaps her being a lawyer would compel the constable to take their plea seriously. "I told the police personnel, you cannot refuse to file the complaint as there are threats to our lives. I also told the lady Constable that I am a lawyer. Despite my all requests she did not lodge the complaint." But her pleas fell on deaf ears, and the dismissive behavior continued unabated.

“I even identified myself as a lawyer and said to her that it was her duty to register an FIR. But she got angry further and misbehaved with me,” she said, still incredulous that her legal rights were ignored so blatantly. Her simple request for justice only fueled the officer’s anger, and instead of being treated with the dignity a lawyer—and any citizen—deserves, she faced further mistreatment. “In the meantime, a police patrolling vehicle with several cops including female police reached the police station,” she added, but the arrival of more officers did not bring relief; rather, it signaled the beginning of an even darker chapter in her ordeal.

Initially, it appeared that there might be some semblance of justice when the officers allowed Army Major Guruwant Singh to file a written complaint. But in a shocking and sudden move, things took a drastic turn. “They had given the opportunity to Gurbant (Army Major Gurbant Singh and her fiancée) to file the written complaint. However, I don’t know why they put him in the lock-up all of a sudden,” Ankita explained, clearly still grappling with the senselessness of the police’s actions. The unlawful detention of an Army officer, someone who dedicates his life to serving the country, was not only an affront to the law but a complete disregard for basic human rights. “I said to them that they cannot put an Army officer in custody and it is unlawful,” she added, standing up for her fiancé despite the escalating threats against them.

But when Ankita dared to protest, the situation spiraled even further out of control. “I protested the police action. Two women police personnel then dragged me by hair and beat me up. I fought back with full force,” she bravely shared, though it is clear that her protest for justice was met with violence and aggression. This was not the behavior of law enforcement officers, but of individuals who had clearly crossed all professional and ethical boundaries. “When the lady Constable tried to strangulate me, I bit her to save myself,” Ankita alleged, showing the extreme lengths she was forced to go just to protect her own life.

The level of brutality inflicted upon her by the police is nothing short of horrific. “One lady police personnel along with one male Constable tied the young woman’s hands with her jacket,” Ankita described, painting a chilling picture of how the officers bound her in a grotesque manner. “Another lady Constable tied Ankita’s legs with a scarf and put her in a room,” turning what should have been a sanctuary of justice—the police station—into a prison of torture.

And yet, the violence did not stop there. “In the meantime, two female officers pulled my hair strongly and started beating me up,” Ankita continued, her voice steady but her words filled with the weight of her pain. She begged for mercy, “I continued to request them to stop,” but her pleas were ignored. “However, they dragged me on the corridor of the police station,” treating her with utter inhumanity. In an act of sheer survival, Ankita defended herself the only way she could. “I tried to fight them for self-defense. While one of them was squeezing my neck, I bit her hand.” Her struggle to breathe, to live, forced her to retaliate in the most basic of ways—just to survive the sheer brutality being unleashed on her.

The officers, devoid of any empathy or regard for the law, removed her jacket and used it to restrain her hands. “They removed my jacket and tied both my hands with it,” she recalled, the memory of the humiliation still fresh. “They used a scarf to tie both my legs and put me in a room,” effectively rendering her defenseless.

Ankita’s voice trembled as she continued her heart-wrenching account of the torture and abuse she endured at the hands of the police. “Later, a male officer came and continuously kicked on my chest after removing my bra,” she said, tears welling up as she relived the horrors of that night. It is difficult to fathom the cruelty that Ankita was subjected to, especially by those who are meant to protect and uphold the law. The physical violence inflicted upon her was not just an abuse of power—it was an attempt to break her spirit and dignity.

The following morning brought no respite. In fact, the situation grew even darker when the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) arrived at the police station. Ankita, still in a state of shock and vulnerability, could never have anticipated what was to come next. “The next day morning, the IIC reached the police station. He opened his pant and tried to sexually assault me as I was screaming for help. He lowered my pants, and then he lowered his pants and molested me,” she recounted, barely able to contain her sobs. This was not just a violation of her body but of her humanity. The horror of what followed is beyond words. “He took out his penis and asked me how many times would you like this to have, so that you stop shouting, as I was shouting a lot,” Ankita shared, her voice breaking under the weight of the trauma she had endured. Her screams for help went unanswered as the very institution meant to protect her turned into a den of predators.

The brutality of this incident sent shockwaves through the community, and it did not go unnoticed by the judiciary. In connection with this heinous case, the Orissa High Court expressed serious concerns over the behavior of the police personnel involved in the young woman’s mistreatment at the Bharatpur Police Station. The court granted bail to Ankita, who had been unjustly arrested by the very officers who had abused her. The ruling offered some legal relief, but the emotional and physical scars inflicted by the police remained.

Earlier, the Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania had taken initial steps to address the outrage following a Crime Branch probe into the incident. Five police personnel were suspended as a result of the investigation. Those suspended included Inspector Dinakrushna Mishra, who was the ex-IIC of Bharatpur Police Station, Sub Inspector Baisalini Panda, and WASI officers Salilamayee Sahoo and Sagarika Rath. Constable Balaram Hansda was also among those suspended. However, the suspension of these officers is only the beginning. They were directed to remain under the disciplinary control of the Commissioner of Police, but mere suspension is a small price for the sheer inhumanity they inflicted on Ankita.

The treatment Ankita received from the Odisha police is a glaring example of the deep-rooted corruption and abuse of power that plagues parts of the system. The officers involved not only violated the law but also tarnished the very uniform that symbolizes protection and justice. There can be no excuse for the heinous acts committed against Ankita, and the Odisha police’s actions should serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and reform within law enforcement.

The courage shown by Ankita in recounting these traumatic events is nothing short of heroic. Her fight for justice is not just for herself, but for every victim who has ever been silenced by the misuse of power. It is now up to the courts and the public to ensure that those responsible for this unimaginable cruelty face the consequences of their actions.

Victim's father demands suspension of IIC

Bhubaneswar, Sept 16: In the wake of the horrifying assault on an Indian Army officer and his fiancée at the Bharatpur Police Station, the Odisha State Ex-Servicemen Association has made a public demand for justice. This shocking incident, where Army Major Gurvansh Singh and Ankita Pradhan were subjected to brutal police excess, has sparked outrage across the state. On Monday, the association called for the immediate suspension of Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Dinakrushna Mishra, along with the other policemen who participated in this despicable act of brutality.

At a press meet, Brigadier Antaryami Pradhan, who not only serves as the president of the Odisha State Ex-Servicemen Association but is also Ankita’s father, spoke out with fury and anguish. His daughter, a restaurateur in the city, had been severely mistreated by those who should have been protecting her. Major Gurvansh Singh, a decorated officer of the 22 Sikh Regiment, had accompanied her to report a road rage incident, but the situation took a dark and violent turn. The father alleged that instead of delivering justice, the police arranged for a fabricated medical report from the Capital Hospital to cover up their heinous actions. "They had submitted that report to the magistrate," he declared, anger and disbelief palpable in his voice. The sheer audacity of the police to present a false report to the courts only adds insult to injury, hiding the brutal reality of what had occurred.

Accusations of cover-ups, dishonesty, and manipulation have rightfully fueled calls for accountability. Brigadier Pradhan did not mince words as he demanded the release of the actual medical examination report. The real report, he emphasized, would lay bare the extent of the injuries Ankita sustained at the hands of the police. "He demanded the immediate release of actual medical examination report which would prove how brutally Ankita was assaulted by the police." The truth of Ankita's suffering must not be hidden behind the walls of deception constructed by the police.

Brigadier Pradhan also raised a critical question that exposes yet another glaring failure on the part of the Odisha police. He expressed bewilderment at the fact that the police had the audacity to physically attack and arrest a respected Army officer who had simply come to file a legitimate complaint. "Why did the police not install CCTV cameras on its premises which is a mandatory practice as per the Supreme Court ruling?" he asked, his voice heavy with disbelief. It is a damning reflection on the state of law enforcement when even the most basic protections, such as CCTV surveillance, are disregarded. The absence of cameras, which could have provided undeniable evidence of the police’s misconduct, only raises more suspicions about the intentions of those involved.

The sheer level of impunity exhibited by the police in this case cannot be overlooked. The lack of accountability, the false reports, and the absence of essential surveillance measures all point to a system that has failed, not only Ankita and Major Gurvansh Singh, but the public at large. This incident is not just a stain on the Bharatpur Police Station—it is an alarming indicator of the broader corruption and lack of integrity within parts of the Odisha police force.

"They have not only violated the Supreme Court directive, but also breaking many rules and regulations as well. They are damaging the name of police and the uniform," Brigadier Antaryami Pradhan said, his voice filled with a mixture of anger and disappointment. It is one thing for officers to fail at their duties, but it is another for them to willfully trample over the very laws they are supposed to uphold. The Odisha police, in this case, not only violated basic human rights but also blatantly disregarded a Supreme Court directive, an act that is nothing short of criminal. Their actions have disgraced the uniform, and instead of representing justice and protection, they now symbolize abuse and corruption.

Brigadier Pradhan raised a powerful point when he questioned the treatment of an Army officer. "If an Army personnel is facing such a situation, what about the common man?" It’s a chilling question that strikes at the heart of public concern. If even someone with the stature and training of a decorated Army Major cannot find safety and justice in the hands of the police, what hope is there for the ordinary citizens of Odisha? The police, in their brutality, have sent a clear message that no one is safe, not even those who dedicate their lives to protecting the country.

"Such incidents will discourage youngsters from joining the Army," Brigadier Pradhan added, pointing out a dangerous consequence of this shameful episode. India’s military is built on the respect and honor that society holds for its soldiers, and when officers are treated with such disdain, it erodes the very foundation of that respect. "Surprisingly the Army top brass is silent even when such heinous incidents are happening to officers who are dedicating their lives for the country," he noted with disappointment. This silence is not just disturbing but also damaging, as it creates a sense of abandonment for those who serve on the frontlines, expecting their institutions to stand up for them when injustice strikes.

The facts of the case are as clear as they are disturbing. Major Gurvansh Singh and Ankita Pradhan, while returning home late Saturday night, were nearly run off the road by a rashly-driven vehicle. In an attempt to stop the dangerous driver, they intercepted the vehicle, only for their situation to escalate quickly. "Upon intercepting the rogue vehicle, 8-10 miscreants came out of it and misbehaved with them before speeding off," reports stated. The couple, rattled by the incident, sought justice and protection by doing the responsible thing—they went to the police station. What should have been a straightforward process of filing a complaint instead turned into a nightmare.

Major Gurvansh, in his attempt to ensure justice, urged the officers to act swiftly and nab the culprits. Instead of offering help, the police "misbehaved with them and asked them to lodge a written complaint"—a delay that speaks to their indifference and lack of urgency. When Major Gurvansh pushed for immediate action, things took an even darker turn. His fiancée, Ankita, became the target of violence and humiliation. "He also alleged that three female cops dragged his friend inside a cell and disrobed her." This act of degradation is not only a gross violation of her rights but also a deliberate attempt to strip her of her dignity. Major Gurvansh, when he tried to protect her, faced violence as well. "He too was beaten up by a cop when he protested," another blow to the idea that law enforcement exists to protect the people.

This incident at the Bharatpur police station has revealed the worst of what unchecked power can do. The Odisha police, by their actions, have not only brutalized two innocent people but have also shattered the trust that the public places in them. The violations committed by the police that night go beyond just physical assault—they represent an abuse of authority, a betrayal of duty, and a deep moral failure. This is not just a case of rogue officers; it is a reflection of a system that needs urgent reform and accountability.

FIR by Capt. Gurvansh Singh Gosal

To

The Addl. DG Of Police, CID Crime Branch, Odisha, Cuttack

Sub: Lodging of FIR.

Sir,

I, IC-84149K Capt. Gurvansh Singh Gosal, aged about 29 years, S/o- Paramjit Singh of House No. 68/A, Global Enclave, PO/PS-Morinda, Dist: Rupnagar, Punjab. A/P- 22nd Bn. The Sikh Regiment of Indian Army, Binnaguri, Military Station, Dist: Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. On 15.09.2024 I along with my fiancée Ankita Pradhan reached Bharatpur Police Station, UPD Bhubaneswar at 0200 hrs on 15 Sep 2024 to lodge a complaint against 10-12 miscreants who came in three cars, stopped my car, misbehaved with us, assaulted me and threatened us of dire consequences near Pathargadia without any reason. I remember registration no. of one of the cars i.e., OD-14J-0455. The police station had one constable and a WASI on duty who refused to listen to our complaint and provided protection to us for going back home. Later the police officer came back and I approached the SI who was in charge at the time to register an FIR. I was given a pen and paper to write while my fiancée tried to talk out to lady police officers that they will have to lodge an FIR even on oral information.

Whilst I was writing the complaint four police officers held me and dragged me to one of the cells where they removed my pants and took all my belongings including my wallet, mobile phone, Army Identity Card, and keys of my car. I was locked up inside the cell illegally at 0300 hrs. Meanwhile, my fiancée was physically assaulted by two lady police officers in the lobby. I requested the constable to call the SI so that I could explain him about the illegal detention. The SI was told about the arrest protocols of an Army Officer that how it requires either an arrest warrant from magistrate or on FIR of either rape or murder. I was replied by the SI that IIC will come and tell as to why am I put in illegal custody from 0300 hrs to 0630 hrs. I was subjected to illegal custody, harassment, and mental torture.

At 0600 hrs, when my fiancée Ankita being a lawyer by profession demanded the arrest warrant from the police authorities, she was dragged into a room and was stripped and brutally assaulted by four male and three female police officers to include the SI in charge. The IIC upon arrival sexually harassed and molested my fiancée and I could hear the screams for 30 minutes. Thereafter my fiancée was illegally arrested and forwarded to the court of JMFC, Bhubaneswar. I had to engage lawyers to follow up legal proceedings. The JMFC rejected the bail petition. We approached Hon'ble High Court and filed BLAPL No.28004/2024 and CRLMC No.27995 of 2024. Bail was granted to my fiancée today i.e., 18.09.2024. Delay was occurred to tender this written report since I was busy in following up legal proceeding of my fiancée.

Therefore, I humbly request you to register this report as FIR and to investigate the matter so as to punish the offenders.

Yours faithfully,

Gurvansh Singh Gosal

(Capt. Gurvansh Singh Gosal)

Place: Cuttack

Date: 18.09.2024

Odisha Police’s Desperate Attempt to Frame Army Officer in Baseless Drug Case

The Odisha police, after failing miserably in their basic duties of protecting the public and acting with integrity, have now resorted to yet another disgraceful act—attempting to frame a decorated Army officer in a baseless drug case. According to this news piece, the police are now alleging that Major Gurvansh Singh was in an inebriated condition and that drugs were found in his vehicle. This unfounded accusation is nothing but a desperate attempt by the Odisha police to save their own skin after committing heinous acts of brutality and misconduct.

The idea that an Army officer, who was only trying to file a legitimate complaint after being harassed on the road, would suddenly be involved in a drug case is laughable at best and deeply disturbing at worst. It reeks of an institutional cover-up, a deliberate move to discredit Major Singh and his fiancée Ankita Pradhan, who have already suffered immense physical and emotional trauma at the hands of these rogue police officers.

Indian Army fans on social media were quick to see through this transparent attempt to smear the officer’s name. A user from the handle @gloryatanycost on X (formerly known as Twitter) posted, “This is how you work @odisha_police? You goons in Uniform, fail to discharge their duty and instead molest a woman who went there to complain? Beat up a serving @adgpi officer. Then try and implicate them in a fraud drug case? Dear Sirs @CMO_Odisha @DGPOdisha pl take action.” This reaction reflects the growing public outrage against the Odisha police, who not only failed in their primary duty of providing protection but have now chosen to falsely implicate their victims in a case that reeks of malice and dishonesty.

Instead of acknowledging their mistakes, these officers have doubled down on their abuse of power, fabricating lies to tarnish the reputation of those they wronged. The claim that drugs were found in Major Singh's vehicle is not only a weak attempt to frame him but also a clear indication that the police are trying to divert attention from their own crimes. This is not just an attack on the Army officer and his fiancée—it is an attack on the very institution of law and order, making it clear that the Odisha police are more interested in covering up their wrongdoings than ensuring justice is served.

The Odisha police’s actions are a shameful reminder of the rot within certain parts of the system, where power is abused, and the truth is manipulated to suit their agenda. The baseless allegations against Major Singh and the attempt to frame him in a drug case are nothing but a desperate ploy to shift the blame and avoid accountability for their own reprehensible actions. It is time for the higher authorities, including the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police, to step in and ensure that these rogue officers are held accountable, and justice is delivered to the victims.