Amidst a storm of controversy, the Odisha government has taken action by transferring Angul DIG Brijesh Rai IPS to the State Police Headquarters in Cuttack. The move comes in response to serious allegations of torture and abuse raised against Rai and his wife by a woman homeguard stationed at their residence.
The victim, who suffered the loss of both her legs, attributed her tragic circumstances to the alleged torment she endured in the household of the DIG. She detailed her harrowing experience, describing an attempt to end her life on a railway track due to the unbearable abuse she claims to have suffered. This distressing incident has sparked outrage and concern, prompting heightened scrutiny of the Odisha Police Department’s internal affairs.
The matter has garnered the attention of the Odisha Human Rights Commission, underlining the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation.
As part of the official response, the Home Department has not only transferred Rai to a different post but also initiated a wider reassessment of the police’s handling of such cases. According to the directive issued by the Director General of Police (DGP), IPS officer Jai Narayan Pankaj from the 2005 batch has been appointed to take over Rai’s position. Currently serving as the Inspector General of Police for the Special Task Force (STF), Pankaj will assume additional responsibilities, including overseeing the North Central Range, Talcher, and serving as the Principal of the Police Training College (PTC) in Angul, in conjunction with his existing duties.
The ordeal faced by the woman homeguard has shed light on the challenges faced by those within law enforcement and the necessity for comprehensive reforms to ensure the well-being and rights of all personnel.
