Daijiworld Media Network – Kendrapara

Kendrapara, May 28: A woman police inspector in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has been suspended on charges of misconduct and dereliction of duty after allegations of custodial torture surfaced against officials of the Talchua Marine Police Station.

The action was taken after Annapurna Mandal (55) and her son Ananta Kumar Mandal (31), residents of Giripahi village, accused inspector-in-charge Sandhyarani Jena and another police officer of subjecting them to “third-degree” torture inside the police station on Monday.

According to reports, the mother and son were summoned to the police station following a written complaint lodged by Annapurna’s husband Manoranjan Mandal over a domestic dispute on Sunday.

The duo alleged that they were assaulted in custody, confined inside a toilet for nearly four hours and forced to sign blank papers.

Annapurna Mandal further alleged that she was disrobed during the incident and that police personnel wiped off the vermillion (sindoor) from her forehead. The family also claimed that Ananta Kumar Mandal’s mobile phone was seized by the police.

Both reportedly sustained multiple injuries and were later admitted to the Community Health Centre at Rajnagar for treatment.

An official order issued by the authorities stated that inspector-in-charge Sandhyarani Jena “was suspended for gross misconduct and dereliction of duty, whereas a formal disciplinary proceeding is contemplated against her”.

The order further stated that during the suspension period, she would remain under the disciplinary control of the Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Cuttack.

Authorities have also directed the Kendrapara Superintendent of Police to serve the suspension order and submit draft charges along with supporting evidence for disciplinary proceedings.

Meanwhile, inspector Sandhyarani Jena has denied all allegations levelled against her.