Two policemen shifted for Tripura lawyer’s ‘illegal detention’
By IANSThursday, July 8, 2010
AGARTALA - The Tripura government Thursday transferred two police officers and ordered a probe into the “illegal detention” of a senior advocate after the state’s lawyers threatened a stir.
“Following the instruction of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, the director general of police has removed inspector Babul Das and sub-inspector Ashish Sarkar from the West Kotowali police station here for illegal detention of the lawyer,” an official statement here said.
Police chief K. Salim Ali has asked Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) B.K Debbarma, to conduct an enquiry into the incident and submit report within a week.
Lawyers in Tripura Tuesday threatened to launch a massive stir from Friday if the state government did not take action against the police officers responsible for the “illegal detention” of senior advocate Pradyot Kumar Dhar, accused of molesting a woman.
The lawyers met Sarkar and demanded action against the erring police officers.
“We are now happy over the government action. However, an emergency meeting of Tripura Bar Association would be held Friday to discuss the matter,” senior Gauhati High Court lawyer Pijush Kanti Biswas told reporters here.
Following the molestation complaint by a woman, Dhar was arrested last Thursday and taken to West Kotowali police station here.
“Despite it being a bailable offence, Dhar was denied bail and detained the whole night in the police lock-up,” said Tripura Bar Association president Rakhal Debnath.
“Under section 50 of the CrPC, the detainee is entitled to get bail. Unfortunately, Dhar, despite being in practice for 30 years and a former standing council member, was denied bail and police did not inform his family about the detention,” Debnath added.
A police officer said that the women in her complaint alleged that Dhar molested her when she went to seek legal advice.
Police are now investigating the case against Dhar, who also filed a separate complaint alleging that some people attacked his house last Thursday night.
