BJD Calls Off Bhubaneswar Bandh Over ‘Custody Assault’ After Judicial Probe Notification

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday withdrew its call for 6-hour hartal in Bhubaneswar on September 24, a day after the Odisha government ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged custody assault case.

The regional party had announced the stir from 6 am on Tuesday, pressing for strict action against police personnel of Bharatpur police station accused of assaulting an Army officer and molesting his fiancée in custody on September 15.

Addressing a presser, former minister and senior BJD leader said that the bandh has been called off temporarily. “Last night, the state government held a meeting and agreed to our former CM Naveen Patnaik demanded for a judicial probe, which is why the party decided to withdrew its bandh call,” he said.

“We hope the government completes the judicial inquiry within 60 days as mentioned in the notification,” he said, while reminding it of the assault of a government officer by Governor Raghubar Das’ son and its promise to submit a report in 15 days.

Criticising the delay in judicial inquiry order, former minister and BJD leader Ashok Panda said that the government should announce the term of reference before the investigation begins.

Also Read: Odisha Govt Issues Notification On Judicial Probe Into Bharatpur ‘Custody Assault’ Case; Check Here

Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had announced for judicial inquiry into the alleged assault case on Sunday evening after a high-level meeting attended by the two deputy chief ministers KV Singhdeo and Pravati Parida, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari, Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, advocate general Pitambar Acharya, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja and DGP YB Khurania.

Also Read: Odisha CM Orders For Judicial Probe Into Bharatpur ‘Custody Assault’ Case