Cuttack: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Orissa High Court seeking an independent investigation into the arrest of Tikhiri Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Chameli Ojha and the alleged life-threatening assault on her inside a police station in Kendrapara district.
The PIL, filed by Bharatiya Vikas Parishad, has sought the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a comprehensive probe into the incident. The petition has made the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), Kendrapara Superintendent of Police (SP), and Kendrapara Collector parties to the case.
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The development comes amid continuing controversy over the arrest of Ojha, the elected Sarpanch of Tikhiri under Mahakalapada block. She was recently granted bail by the local SDJM Court in connection with a case relating to the alleged assault on a Mahakalapada police sub-inspector and Home Guards personnel.
Ojha, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital, had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Odia, alleging police excesses, ill-treatment and a physical attack on her, while seeking immediate intervention and justice. She had also appealed to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for intervention in the matter.
Meanwhile, Mahakalapada police on Tuesday returned the mobile phones of Ojha and her brother to their father.
Ojha has also alleged that although one person was arrested on the basis of her complaint, the main accused in the case remains at large, raising questions over the progress of the investigation.
The PIL is expected to come up for hearing before the High Court in the coming days.