Graha Shanti Puja performed in Odisha police station: Kwon why

Bhubaneswar, Sept 23: A Graha Shanti Puja was performed inside the Bharatpur police station which has hogged national media attention over assault of an Army officer and his fiancée by on-duty police personnel.

A Graha Shanti Puja was performed in the chamber of IIC of Bharatpur police station to drive away the evil spirit as it has shrouded in controversies since inauguration of its new building in March this year.

Deepak Kumar Khandayatray has been appointed new IIC of Bharatpur police station after suspension of the former officer in the assault case. 

Conducting religious rituals in police stations does not sound a good idea. Yet, the Bharatpur police thought performing a puja in the station to drive away the evil spirit which has brought unwanted attention on policemen in the station. It is already defamed over several controversies, said a senior police official on condition of anonymity.

Notably, the Army officer posted in West Bengal and his fiancee were allegedly harassed by some local youths on September 14 night following which they approached the Bharatpur police station to take swift action against the miscreants over road rage before they flee from the spot.

However, the duo picked up a quarrel with cops in the police station as the on duty officer asked to register an FIR first.

The army officer was allegedly kept in the lockup and assaulted while his female friend was taken to a secluded room by a woman officer, where she was allegedly assaulted, stripped and molested.

Odisha DGP YB Khurania last Wednesday suspended five police personnel, including IIC of Bharatpur police station Dinakrushna Mishra on charges of gross misconduct.

The suspended officers are IIC Dinakrushna Mishra, SI Baisalini Panda, ASI Salilamayee Sahoo, ASI Sagarika Rath, and constable Balaram Hansda.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday directed a judicial probe into the matter.