Orissa High Court Orders Senior-Level Probe into Assault and Forced Religious Chanting Case
Court calls for strict monitoring of investigation into alleged public humiliation of Muslim man in Odisha.
The Orissa High Court has directed that the investigation into a shocking assault case in Odisha be supervised by a senior police officer of at least Deputy Superintendent rank. The case involves allegations that a Muslim man was attacked and forced to chant religious slogans.
Justice Savitri Ratho issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the victim’s father, who has sought a fair and impartial inquiry into the incident. The case reportedly took place in early January in the Bahalda area of Mayurbhanj district.
According to the complaint, a group of men allegedly assaulted the victim, stripped him, tied his legs, and dragged him through the streets. During the incident, he was reportedly forced to chant Hindu religious slogans. A video of the incident later surfaced online and spread widely, triggering outrage.
An FIR was registered on January 3 at Bahalda Police Station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to wrongful restraint, obscene acts, and criminal intimidation. However, the victim’s family has urged authorities to include more serious charges, including those linked to organized crime and hurting religious sentiments.
So far, police have arrested two suspects, while several others are still absconding. The victim’s father had requested that the investigation be handed over to a specialized agency such as the Crime Branch or a Special Investigation Team to ensure credibility.
During the court proceedings, the state’s counsel stated that the victim had suffered only minor injuries and confirmed that arrests had been made. Despite this, the court expressed concern over the seriousness of the allegations, particularly the communal angle and the public nature of the humiliation.
While declining to transfer the case to another agency, the High Court emphasized the need for close supervision by a senior officer. The court noted that the viral video and the sensitive nature of the case require careful handling to ensure a thorough and unbiased investigation.
The directive aims to strengthen accountability and ensure that justice is delivered in a case that has raised broader concerns about communal harmony and the handling of such incidents.
