Allegations of custodial torture surfaced against personnel of Baranga police station in Cuttack after the husband of a missing woman was reportedly hospitalised in a critical condition on Monday. He was reported detained for several days and questioned by police.

Family members of Rakesh Behera alleged that he was subjected to third-degree torture after police linked him to the death of a woman whose body was recovered from the Kathajodi riverbed. The family however maintained that the deceased was not his missing wife. 

The allegations triggered protests outside the police station, with additional police personnel deployed amid tensions in the area.

No response from the police regarding the allegations was available at the time of reporting.

Missing Person Complaint

According to the family, a woman from Chandi Prasad village under Baranga police station limits was missing since May 15. Her husband, Rakesh Behera, lodged a missing person complaint at the police station on May 16.

On May 21, a woman’s body was recovered from the Kathajodi riverbed within the police station limits. Police reportedly suspected that the body belonged to Rakesh’s missing wife and called him, his mother and other relatives for identification.

The family alleged that although Rakesh repeatedly stated that the deceased woman was not his wife, police refused to accept his claim.

Family Alleges Custodial Assault

According to relatives, Rakesh was subsequently detained at the police station, where he was allegedly assaulted and tortured for four days. Family members further alleged that they were not allowed to meet him during the period of detention.

Rakesh’s mother alleged, “They brought a random dead body and claimed it was my daughter-in-law. No matter how much we denied it, they continued to insist that it was her. They took my son away in connection with the woman’s death and subjected him to third-degree torture. We had filed a missing person complaint regarding my daughter-in-law and still do not know where she is, but my son was allegedly tortured.”

Family Claims Missing Woman Contacted Them

Rakesh’s sister-in-law, Kalpana, claimed the missing woman had recently contacted the family.

“My sister spoke to us over the phone. She is alive and safe. When we asked where she was, she did not disclose the location but said she was working somewhere and would return after a month or two. She left on her own and even spoke to us through a video call,” she alleged.

Another relative questioned how Rakesh came to be admitted to hospital while reportedly in police custody.

“We came to the police station and requested permission to meet Rakesh, but were told to speak to the IIC, who was not present at the time. Later, we learnt that Rakesh had been admitted to hospital. The question is how he reached the hospital and why, when he was supposed to be detained at the police station,” the relative alleged.

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Meanwhile, local residents gathered outside Baranga police station demanding action, while police maintained a heavy deployment in the area to prevent any escalation of tension.