Cuttack, May 31: The Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Baranga Police Station has been transferred amid allegations that a youth was subjected to third-degree treatment inside the police station.

Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Niranjan Behera has been shifted to the Cuttack DCP Office, while Biswaranjan Nayak, currently serving as IIC of Purighat Police Station, has been given additional charge of Baranga Police Station.

The transfer comes in the wake of allegations that a youth, identified as Rakesh, was subjected to custodial torture. However, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo has maintained that no third-degree treatment was administered to the youth.

The transfer has nevertheless sparked questions, with critics asking why the IIC was moved if no wrongdoing had occurred. Some have argued that the action indirectly lends weight to the allegations, though police have not officially linked the transfer to the incident.

Attempts were reportedly made to seek a response from the DCP, but no on-camera statement was available.

Meanwhile, Rakesh remains under treatment in the Department of Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery in SCB Medical College and Hospital. According to a source, his condition has shown some improvement.

On Sunday, Banki MLA Devi Ranjan Tripathy and BJP leader Tusara Kanta Chakrabarty visited the hospital and met the injured youth. The two leaders also spoke with doctors to enquire about his health condition.

Later, the Banki MLA met the Cuttack DCP and discussed the circumstances under which the alleged incident occurred.

Also Read: NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Six Deaths in Odisha Septic Tank Incident

Speaking to reporters, Chakrabarty said there was considerable anger among locals over the matter and demanded a thorough inquiry. They maintained that merely transferring the police officer would not be sufficient and called for strict action against anyone found responsible.

Police have not yet announced the findings of any inquiry into the allegations.

Allegations Against Police
It can be mentioned here that Rakesh had lodged a missing person complaint on June 16 after his wife went missing a day earlier. On June 21, police recovered the body of an unidentified woman from the Kathajodi riverbed and suspected it to be that of the missing woman. Rakesh and his family were called to identify the body.

However, the family of the victim alleged that the deceased woman was not Rakesh's wife. Despite their repeated assertions, police allegedly remained suspicious and detained Rakesh for questioning. Family members alleged that he was severely assaulted while in custody and later admitted to a hospital after his condition deteriorated.

Rakesh's father, Kartik Behera, claimed his son was in good health before being taken by the police. He alleged that he was not allowed to meet his son despite visiting the hospital and demanded the suspension of the police personnel responsible for the alleged assault.