The Tripura HC ordered the suspension of Airport Police Station OC Sushanta Deb over alleged police inaction in a woman’s complaint. The court also directed protection for the victim after allegations of harassment, threats, and delayed FIR registration raised serious legal concerns.
The Tripura High Court has taken strong exception to alleged police inaction in a case involving a woman’s complaint, leading to the suspension of Airport Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Sushanta Deb. The court also directed authorities to provide protection to the complainant after allegations of continued harassment and threats.
The matter came before the High Court following a petition filed by the woman, who alleged that despite submitting a written complaint nearly a month ago disclosing a cognizable offence, the Airport Police Station failed to register a First Information Report (FIR) as required under law.
According to the allegations placed before the court, instead of registering the FIR, police personnel allegedly detained the complainant, harassed her, and pressured her to withdraw the complaint. Dissatisfied with the response, the woman later approached the Superintendent of Police (SP) of West Tripura district seeking intervention. However, she claimed that no effective action was taken despite her appeal.
During the hearing before the Chief Justice on Wednesday, it was informed that the FIR had finally been registered. Police authorities submitted that West Tripura SP Namit Pathak had directed the Airport Police Station to register the FIR approximately 25 days earlier, but the instruction was allegedly ignored.
When the matter was taken up again on Thursday, the High Court was informed that Airport Police Station OC Sushanta Deb had been placed under suspension following the developments in the case.
The petitioner further alleged that she faced fresh harassment and threats on Wednesday, even after the FIR was registered. Taking serious note of the allegations, the High Court directed the concerned police authorities to ensure adequate security and protection for the woman to safeguard her safety during the investigation.
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The court’s intervention has highlighted concerns over alleged lapses in police procedure and compliance with legal obligations in handling complaints involving cognizable offences. The matter remains under judicial scrutiny, and the High Court has scheduled the next hearing for Friday to review further developments in the case.
