Brijesh Kumar Rai, a 2009 batch IPS officer, posted as North Central Range DIG of Odisha Police, has been transferred to an ‘insignificant' post following accusation of a lady home guard against his wife of torture and inhuman behaviour. The torture was so brutal that the lady home guard was forced to attempt suicide by jumping before the train.
The victim identified as Souridri Sahu of Angul district though was saved but lost both her legs in the attempt. She is undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Cuttack.
Rai, a native of Mau in Uttar Pradesh is an awardee of Police Medal in 2016. He has been appreciated on several occasions for her bravery and his work towards controlling naxal movements in Kalahandi and Ganjam districts where he served as Superintendent of Police before getting posted as DIG in January this year.
The Allegation:
In her complaint to DG Home Guards Sudhansu Sarangi, the victim Sahu alleged that Rai's wife physically and mentally tortured her during the last few months of her deployment at his residence. She said that Rai's wife used to abuse her and mentally torture her for slightest of the mistakes.
On the day the incident, DIG's wife allegedly asked her to wash clothes. Sahu had an injury in her leg, so she expressed her inability to perform the task. That allegedly enraged Rai's wife and she physically abused Sahu and reportedly threatened to take away her job too.
Under tremendous mental stress due to humiliation and beating, Sahu said that she jumped before train to commit suicide.
Due to vibrations on the track, she fell outside the track in the last minute. Her life was saved but her legs got crushed under the speeding train.
Sahu, who lives with her two daughters, sought a compensation of Rs 5 lakh besides a home guard job for her elder daughter.
The Counterpoint
DG, Home Guards Sudhansu Sarangi said the SP of Angul – also commandant of home guards of the district – has been asked to probe the matter and submit a factual report on the matter.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also registered a case based on a complaint filed by human rights activist Jayant Das. It has directed the DG of Odisha Police to submit the report by September 15.
On the other hand, DIG Rai has dismissed all the allegations again him and his wife saying that the lady home guard was upset due to personal reasons. He said that the home guard was like a family member to them.
“I think someone has misguided her to lodge such a complaint,” Rai said.
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