Kendrapara: Kendrapara district's Talchua Marine Police Station has plunged deeper into controversy as suspended Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Sandhyarani Jena now faces a formal police case over alleged custodial torture.

Case No. 124/2026 has been registered against Jena under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – 296, 74, 115, 351 and 308, intensifying her legal troubles.

The case stems from a complaint by Annapurna Mandal (55) and her son Ananta Kumar Mandal (31) of Giriapahi village, who alleged they were summoned to the police station on May 25 over a family dispute and brutally assaulted by Jena and other personnel.

Following their appeal to Pattamundai SDPO Sukanta Kumar Patra, an inspection report was submitted, leading to Jena's suspension by DGP YB Khurania on May 27. With the latest FIR, she now faces the prospect of prosecution.

Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for police accountability under the newly enforced BNS framework.