Hirakud custodial torture fallout: Two cops suspended

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 14:

Two Odisha police personnel, who were accused of torturing a minor in police custody in Hirakud police station, were placed under suspension today.

While two constables identified as Ambuja Sahu and Jeet Narayan Podha were suspended, Home Guard Siba Gouda was dismissed from service for his alleged complicity in the incident.

Besides, IIC of Hirakud police station Savitri Bal was transferred to Sambalpur police station

“We received the investigation report today. Investigation revealed that some persons were at fault. Based on the report, two constables have been suspended and a Home Guard has been dismissed from service. Besides, the Hirakud police station IIC has been attached to the district headquarters police station,” said Sambalpur SP Akhileshwar Singh.

Earlier yesterday, Sambalpur SP had directed Burla Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) to submit inquiry report within 12 hours after a local television aired the alleged custodial torture of a minor boy. Following this, the SDPO today submitted a probe report to the SP on the alleged Hirakud custodial torture of a 15-year-old boy.

Hirakud police station officials have been accused of brutally assaulting a teenager and demanding Rs 6,000 as bribe from his mother to release him.

The incident which happened in September 19 last year sparked uproar in the state after being aired by a private television channel yesterday.