Odisha Police Launch Inquiry Into Custodial Torture Allegations in Kendrapara

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Odisha Police ordered an inquiry into alleged custodial torture in Kendrapara.
A woman and her son accused police personnel of assault and humiliation.
The district SP directed a probe report within 48 hours.

Odisha Police has launched an inquiry into allegations of custodial torture involving a woman and her son at Talachua Marine Police Station in Kendrapara district.

Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria on Wednesday said he personally visited the police station following the allegations and ordered a formal inquiry into the matter.

The probe has been assigned to Pattamundai SDPO Sukant Kumar Patra, who has been directed to submit a report within 48 hours.

Kendrapara Custodial Torture Allegations Surface

The alleged victims, Annapurna Mandal (55) and her son Ananta Kumar Mandal (31) of Giripahi village, accused the inspector-in-charge of Talachua Marine Police Station and another officer of subjecting them to third-degree torture on Monday.

According to the complaint:

They were allegedly assaulted inside the police station
Confined in a toilet for nearly four hours
Forced to sign blank papers
Ananta’s mobile phone was allegedly seized

Annapurna also alleged that she was disrobed and that police personnel wiped off the sindoor from her forehead.

The second-order effect of custodial violence allegations can severely impact public trust in policing institutions, particularly in rural and sensitive communities where access to legal protection is already limited.

Domestic Dispute Led to Police Summons

Police sources said Annapurna’s husband, Manoranjan Mandal, had lodged a complaint against his wife and son on Sunday following a domestic dispute.

Based on the complaint, police reportedly summoned both individuals for questioning the next day.

Following the alleged incident, both victims were admitted to the Community Health Centre in Rajnagar.

Medical examinations reportedly confirmed multiple injury marks on their bodies.

Police Deny Allegations, Inquiry Underway

Talachua Marine Police Station inspector-in-charge Sandhyarani Jena denied all allegations levelled against police personnel.

SP Siddharth Kataria said appropriate action would be initiated if the inquiry establishes misconduct by any officials.

The investigation is expected to examine:

CCTV footage
Medical reports
Statements from police personnel
Testimonies of the complainants

Custodial Violence Remains Sensitive Issue

Allegations of custodial violence continue to remain a serious concern in India, often drawing scrutiny from civil rights groups, legal activists and judicial authorities.

Such cases typically raise questions around:

Human rights protections
Police accountability
Interrogation practices
Safeguards during detention

The outcome of the Kendrapara inquiry is likely to be closely watched given the gravity of the allegations and the public attention surrounding the case.

Also Read | Pregnant Woman Carried 2 Km in Odisha’s Bolangir, Newborns Die

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