Bhubaneswar, June 17:A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Orissa High Court seeking an independent probe into the arrest of Tikhiri Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Chameli Ojha and alleged life-threatening assault on her inside a police station in Kendrapara district.

The PIL, filed by Bharatiya Vikas Parishad, has sought the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The petition has named the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), Kendrapara Superintendent of Police (SP), and Kendrapara Collector as parties to the case.

The plea comes amid continuing controversy surrounding the arrest of Ojha, the elected Sarpanch of Tikhiri under Mahakalapada block. She was recently granted bail by the local SDJM Court in connection with a case related to the alleged assault on a Mahakalapada police sub-inspector and Home Guard personnel.

Ojha, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital, had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Odia, alleging police excesses, ill-treatment, and physical assault while seeking immediate intervention and justice. She had also appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to intervene in the matter.

Meanwhile, Mahakalapada police on Tuesday returned the mobile phones of Ojha and her brother to their father.

Ojha has further alleged that although one person was arrested based on her complaint, the main accused in the case remains absconding, raising questions over the pace and direction of the investigation.

The PIL is expected to come up for hearing before the High Court in the coming days.