Balangir: A couple have lodged a formal complaint against the acting inspector in charge of Boudh police station for allegedly assaulting the woman in custody.

Padmini Mallick and her husband, Rabindra, lodged a written complaint against the police officer, alleging that Padmini had to be admitted to Boudh district headquarters hospital on Wednesday night after allegedly being assaulted by Priti Manjari Garnaik.

Sources said the police, led by Garnaik, raided Sarsara village on Wednesday night in search of a man, belonging to Sampoch village, in connection with a cattle theft case. Finding the accused no where at the village, the police picked up the couple in the suspicion that they might know about his whereabouts.

Garnaik, according to the complaint, allegedly assaulted both of them during the interrogation. She was particularly severe on Padmini, the couple alleged.

When Padmini's condition became critical, the police admitted her to district headquarters hospital.

Garnaik, however, declined to comment on the incident.

Padmini said she and her husband had been picked up from their village without being told the reason. "We asked them why we were being taken to the police station, but they said nothing. The woman officer insisted that I gave her information on the man whom I did not even know. As I could not divulge any information, she became furious and thrashed me with a stick. Now, I am unable to sit or walk," said Padmini.

"We are innocent. We don't know anything about the man the police want to know from us. I feel helpless," Rabindra said.

The police, however, have played down the case as they are yet to register a case on the basis of the couple's complaint.

Boudh superintendent of police Sudhansu Sekhar Mishra said he was not apprised of the incident. "I don't know anything about the case yet. We will take necessary action only after we receive a written complaint," he said.