Tripura HC orders preservation of East Agartala Women Police Station CCTV footage after allegations of police inaction, custodial assault, and bribery demands involving a mother and son triggered a major legal battle seeking accountability and justice.
A major legal controversy has emerged in Tripura after serious allegations of police inaction, custodial assault, and corruption prompted intervention from the Tripura High Court. The court has now ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the East Agartala Women Police Station in connection with an alleged assault on a mother and her son.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice M S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit issued the direction while hearing a writ petition filed by Ratna Roy. The petition accused police authorities of failing to take legal action despite repeated complaints regarding an alleged violent attack on her family.
According to senior advocate Purushottam Roy Barman, who appeared on behalf of the petitioner, the court directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate of West Tripura district to immediately collect and preserve CCTV footage covering the period between April 4 and April 6 from the East Agartala Women Police Station. The footage has reportedly already been secured and sealed under court supervision.
The High Court also sought a detailed response from the Tripura government and directed authorities to submit their reply by May 12.
The case revolves around allegations that a group of individuals entered Ratna Roy’s residence on April 4 under the leadership of an official associated with the Agartala Municipal Corporation task force. According to the petition, the group allegedly assaulted Roy’s son, Saikat Roy, inside the house before dragging him to the East Agartala Police Station, where he was allegedly subjected to further physical torture.
The petition further claimed that severe injuries were inflicted on Saikat Roy during the alleged custodial assault, including injuries to his private parts. Ratna Roy also allegedly suffered physical assault while attempting to protect her son from the attackers.
The petitioner accused Rabindranath Ghosh, identified as a member of the AMC task force, of verbally ordering the suspension of ongoing construction work at their residence. The petition alleged that the official demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh in exchange for granting clearance for the construction work.
According to the complaint filed before the High Court, tensions escalated after Saikat Roy allegedly refused to pay the demanded money. The family then allegedly became victims of intimidation, violence, and custodial abuse.
After the incident, Ratna Roy reportedly submitted a written complaint at the East Agartala Women Police Station requesting registration of an FIR and a formal investigation into the matter. However, the petition alleged that police authorities neither registered the case nor initiated any action against the accused persons.
The petitioner later approached the Superintendent of Police of West Tripura district and even the Director General of Police seeking intervention. Despite these efforts, no action was allegedly taken, forcing the family to move the High Court for judicial relief.
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The court’s decision to preserve CCTV footage is being viewed as a significant development in the case, as the recordings could play a crucial role in establishing the sequence of events inside the police station during the alleged custodial assault period.
The matter has now drawn widespread public attention, with legal observers closely monitoring the state government’s response and the outcome of the ongoing judicial proceedings.
