Army officers are right or policemen? There is a tussle between former army and police officers in Odisha case

New Delhi: The uproar over the alleged assault on an army officer and sexual harassment of his/her fiancée at a police station in Odisha is increasing. Now a round of allegations and counter-allegations has started between former army personnel and retired police personnel in this case. This incident has become a topic of discussion across the country. On the one hand, many former army personnel including General (Retired) VK Singh have described this incident as ‘shameful and horrific’, while on the other hand retired police officers have questioned the behavior of the couple and claimed that they were drunk. However, these retired police officers have categorically said that if the policemen are found guilty, then strict action should be taken against them.

Video of army officer’s fiancée’s indecent behaviour goes viral

The blame game started after a video showing the army officer and his/her fiancée allegedly assaulting some people went viral on social media. The woman has alleged that she was assaulted and sexually harassed at the Bharatpur police station while her fiancé was illegally locked in a cell by the police. The incident took place when the couple had gone to the police station to lodge a complaint about a street fight. Five police officials were suspended after the matter escalated.

Former Army Chief reprimanded Odisha Police

Former Army Chief General (Retired) and former Union Minister VK Singh has called the policemen involved in the case ‘goons in uniform’ and demanded immediate action against those trying to save them. VK Singh tweeted, ‘What happened to the fiancée of an army officer in Bharatpur Police Station of Odisha is shameful and horrific. The Chief Minister should take immediate action against those trying to save the policemen and criminals in uniform.’

Major (Retired) Gaurav Arya appealed to the Defense Minister

Similarly, several other ex-servicemen have also expressed concern on social media platforms over how the officer was allegedly treated, saying there is “huge anger” in the Army. Urging Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to intervene, Major (Retd) Gaurav Arya tweeted, “Odisha police misbehaved with an Army officer and that in itself is a crime. They badly abused, humiliated and harassed a woman… There is no apology for this.”

Major General (Retired) Harsh Kakar reprimanded the police

Major General (Retd) Harsh Kakar criticised the Odisha Police for ‘protecting molesters, bribe takers, crooked cops and those who misbehave with women’. he/she tweeted, “They are not supporting the truth. If the army protests, the country will come to a standstill. Can this happen to organisations that ensure security. Vile acts.”

Former CBI director took over from the police side

Meanwhile, former CBI director M Nageswara Rao and Odisha Retired Police Officers Welfare Association have asked if any action has been taken against the officer for drunk driving, assaulting engineering students and creating chaos at the police station? However, they have also said that the guilty police officers should be punished according to the law. Reacting to VK Singh’s tweet, Nageswara Rao said that it is not fair to condemn the Odisha Police for the ‘drunken brawl and indecent behaviour of the army officer and his/her fiancée’. he/she also alleged that the couple refused to go to the hospital for medical examination and blood test.

M. Nageswara Rao said- the reality is something else

The former CBI chief said, “An army officer and his/her fiancée in Bhubaneswar consume 10 pegs of alcohol and drive a car at around 2 am, assault engineering students at around 2.30 am, and then create a ruckus at Bharatpur police station, so much so that the staff had to take the help of PCR.” Stating that the police force respects the army, Nageswara Rao urged the army to take action against the officer for “conduct unbecoming of a soldier” and “tarnishing” the name of the Indian Army.

Rao’s appeal to VK Singh

Rao said, ‘You (VK Singh) have been the Chief of Army Staff and a Union Minister. In such a situation, it is not right for you to jump to conclusions and condemn the Odisha Police for drunken brawl and misbehavior between an Army officer and his/her fiancée, when the Odisha Police officers are not even guilty.’ he/she further said, ‘But I will not reprimand the Indian Army by saying, ‘Does the Indian Army teach this kind of discipline to its officers?’ Because one person’s waywardness does not represent a respectable institution.’

Odisha Retired Police Association also jumped into the fray

Major General (Retd) Harsh Kakar raised several questions on Rao’s post. he/she claimed that all the claims being made about the indecent conduct of the army officer and his/her fiancée are false. At the same time, the Odisha Retired Police Officers Welfare Association has also made similar allegations in an open letter. It also said that a course should be added to teach army officers ‘behavior in public places and government offices’.