Ex Chiefs of Army, CBI Clash on Social Media Over Alleged Torture Of Woman At Bharatpur PS in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Retired Army Chief General VK Singh and former CBI Director M Nageswara Rao have clashed through messages on social media over the alleged torture and sexual assault of an Army officer’s fiancee at the Bharatpur police station in Bhubaneswar on September 15 night.

General VK Singh, in a social media post, condemned the handling of the situation by the Odisha Police and demanded immediate action against the officers involved. He described the treatment of the woman, the fiancee of an Army officer, as “shameful and horrendous.”

In his post, the former General of the Indian Army wrote, “Everyone must listen to the daughter of a retired Army officer. What happened to her in Bharatpur police station in Odisha is shameful. The Odisha Chief Minister should take swift action against the police personnel and those shielding the criminals in uniform.”

Former CBI Director M Nageswara Rao, an Odisha-cadre IPS officer, countered Gen Singh in a social media post and accused the Army officer and his fiancee of being drunk and behaving inappropriately.

In his post, Rao wrote, “An Army officer and his fiancee consumed alcohol and drove through the city late at night. They were involved in a brawl with engineering students and later created a scene at Bharatpur police station. When asked to undergo a medical examination and blood test, they refused, which is a standard part of the investigation.”

The former CBI chief defended the Odisha police, stating that it manages more than 600 police stations, had no reason to misbehave with visitors, including Army personnel. Rao asked General Singh to reconsider his stance, adding, “It is not appropriate for a former Chief of Army Staff and Central Minister to jump to conclusions and criticize the police for the alleged drunken misconduct of the Army officer and his fiancee. However, I would not question the Indian Army’s discipline based on one individual’s actions. I urge the Army to take appropriate action against this officer for conduct unbecoming of a soldier.”