The Congress party launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, accusing it of fostering a culture where law enforcement officers turn from “protectors to predators.” The criticism came in response to a disturbing incident in Odisha, where the fiancée of an Army officer was allegedly sexually assaulted while in police custody. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the charge, expressing her outrage and questioning the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP’s women MPs on the matter.

In a statement, Priyanka Gandhi said, “Wherever the BJP is in power, it appears to be working on a policy to convert the police into predators rather than protectors. This incident is a chilling example of the misuse of power and the victimization of ordinary citizens.”

The incident, which took place in Bhubaneswar, has drawn widespread condemnation. The Army officer, stationed in West Bengal, and his fiancée visited the Bharatpur police station last Sunday to file a complaint regarding a road rage incident in which they were allegedly harassed by a group of men. However, their efforts to file a First Information Report (FIR) escalated into a confrontation with police personnel, leading to the alleged assault.

Congress leaders have questioned the lack of immediate action from the ruling party, particularly the Prime Minister, and called for swift justice. “It is shocking that the PM and women leaders of the BJP have chosen to remain silent on such a grave issue,” a Congress spokesperson stated.

The Odisha Police has launched an investigation into the matter, but the incident has raised serious concerns about the conduct of law enforcement under the current administration. Congress leaders have vowed to press for accountability and reform to prevent future incidents of police brutality and misconduct.

The BJP is yet to respond to the allegations.