Kendrapara, June 2:Trouble has deepened for suspended Talchua Marine Police Station Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Sandhyarani Jena, with a criminal case now being registered against her in connection with an alleged custodial torture incident.

According to sources, Talchua Marine Police Station has registered Case No. 124/2026 against Jena under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 296, 74, 115, 351 and 308.

The case stems from allegations made by Annapurna Mandal (55) and her son, Ananta Kumar Mandal (31), residents of Giriapahi village. The mother-son duo alleged that they were summoned to the police station on May 25 in connection with a family dispute.

However, they claimed that IIC Sandhyarani Jena, along with other police personnel, physically assaulted them while they were at the police station.

Following the alleged incident, Annapurna and Ananta approached Pattamundai SDPO Sukanta Kumar Patra and sought action against the police officer. Acting on their complaint, the SDPO conducted an inquiry and submitted an inspection report to senior authorities.

Based on the findings of the report, Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania suspended Sandhyarani Jena on May 27 pending further investigation.

With the registration of a formal criminal case, legal proceedings against the suspended police officer are expected to gather momentum. Investigators are likely to examine the allegations in detail and determine the role of all individuals involved in the alleged custodial assault.

The case has drawn considerable attention, raising concerns over allegations of police excesses and custodial misconduct.

Further investigation is underway.