Bhubaneswar, 23 February (H.S.): The investigation into the alleged sexual assault case involving an officer of the Indian Revenue Service in Bhubaneswar has been stepped up, with police appointing an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officer to lead the probe.

Additional DCP Aarti Giri has been designated as the investigating officer and visited Saheed Nagar Police Station to collect case-related documents and review the progress of the investigation.

In a parallel development, a three-member team from the Central GST reached the police station around 11 a.m. on Monday and has begun its own inquiry into the matter.

According to police sources, the complainant was called again on Sunday and her statement was recorded for the second time. Investigators have also collected photo and video evidence from her, which she alleges was used by the accused officer to blackmail her.

The case was registered after the woman lodged a complaint alleging that the officer raped her at his government quarters in the Satsang Vihar area. She further claimed the act was recorded and that the officer threatened to circulate the video.

Police have conducted the victim’s medical examination and inspected the accused officer’s residence. At the time of reporting, the officer had neither been questioned nor found at his residence.

As per the complaint, the woman had initially accompanied the officer’s sister-in-law to his house when his wife was unwell. She later alleged that the officer called her again, sexually assaulted her, recorded the act, and threatened to make the video viral.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda