Suspended Inspector-in-Charge Sandhyarani Jena of Talchua Marine Police Station has approached the Orissa High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the alleged custodial torture of a 58-year-old woman and her son in Kendrapada district.
Jena filed her petition on June 29 in relation to Talchua Marine Police Station Case No. 124/2026, apprehending arrest. The case stems from the incident on May 25, when Annapurna Mandal and her son Ananta Kumar Mandal of Giriapahi village visited the police station to lodge a complaint over a family dispute.
The victims alleged third-degree torture, illegal detention, and threats. Annapurna claimed Jena dragged her by the hair, slapped her, and wiped off her sindoor. Ananta alleged he was assaulted inside a toilet, strangulated, and forced to sign blank papers. Both were reportedly detained for over five hours before release.
Medical examinations at Rajnagar Community Health Centre revealed multiple injury marks on Annapurna’s hands and on Ananta’s neck, legs, and back. Following public outrage, Odisha Police suspended Jena and registered a criminal case under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 296, 74, 115, 351, and 308.
Critics have questioned why Jena has not yet been arrested, noting she has faced disciplinary action three times in the past six years. Her move to seek anticipatory bail has intensified debate over police accountability and custodial misconduct.
