'Torture' at police station: Army officer, fiancee meet Odisha CM Mohan Majhi, highlight privacy concerns

BHUBANESWAR: The Army officer and his fiancee, who were allegedly tortured at Bharatpur police station on Sept 15, met chief minister Mohan Majhi on Monday to discuss the woman's concerns about potential threats to her business. The woman, who runs a restaurant, had been reportedly subjected to sexual assault by the police.
"I told the chief minister that I could face possible threats because police officers have been to my restaurant twice and intimidated my staff.The CM assured me that if needed, protection will be provided for smooth operation of my restaurant," the woman said.

She was accompanied by her father, a retired brigadier, and several ex-servicemen. They spoke to the chief minister about the Sept 15 incident. Majhi assured justice would be served.
The woman expressed satisfaction with the CM ordering a judicial probe late on Sunday but emphasized the need for the govt to take measures to prevent her from being subjected to "victim shaming".
She brought to the chief minister's attention that some of her personal photographs were being circulated on social media to damage her reputation.
"The CM gave me a patient hearing. He heard all my grievances. I urged the chief minister to take stringent action against seven Bharatpur police officers who molested me. He has assured me that I will be given justice," the survivor said.
Her father alleged that unknown individuals had gained access to CCTV footage of his daughter's visit to a pub and shared the images on social media. Opposition BJD, too, questioned the motive behind portraying the woman in poor light and suspected the act was intended to divert focus from police brutality.
"Is it a crime to go to a pub? My daughter underwent a horrific experience in police custody. To defame her, some people circulated her personal photographs on social media platforms. This act amounts to her character assassination," her father stated.
Law minister Prithviraj Harichandan said that action would be taken against those who shared the woman's photographs on social media.
"Nobody has the right to invade her privacy and personal space. Police have been asked to look into the matter and take action," Harichandan said.