Assam cop, seven others arrested for extorting, assaulting businessman
A Superintendent of Police (SP) of Assam's Bajali district and seven other police officials were arrested for allegedly extorting and assaulting a businessman inside a lock-up of a police station.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Assam Police has arrested an IPS officer who was serving as Superintendent of Police (SP) and seven other police personnel in connection with a case of alleged extortion and physical assault of a businessman.
Earlier, the CID had registered a criminal case against five police officers and two home guards for allegedly demanding Rs 5 crore from a supari (betel nut) businessman and assaulting him inside the lock-up of a police station in Bajali district.
Following an investigation, the CID arrested Bajali SP Siddhartha Buragohain in the case.
The other arrested police personnel include Bajali Deputy SP Puskal Gogoi, officer-in-charge of Patacharkuchi police station Anup Jyoti Patiri, head of Bhawanipur police outpost Debajit Giri, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) of Patacharkuchi police station Sasanka Das, constable of armed branch Injamamul Hassan and home guards Deepjoy Roy and Nabir Ahmed, who are also the drivers of the SP.
The case was registered under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 341 (wrongful restraint), 342 (wrongful confinement), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 448 (house trespass), 294 (obscene acts and songs), 379 (theft), 387 (extortion), 427 (mischief causing damage), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 307 (attempt to murder).
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said nobody would be spared in the case even if he or she was a top police officer.
“The officers may get arrested and there would be more arrests. The police must mend their ways. All police officers down to the SP rank must take the DGP’s words seriously. His words are the words of the state government. The system, which prevailed earlier in the police, will not be allowed to continue now,” he said.
State Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh said the Assam Police headquarters had received a complaint of demand for money by some police officers of Bajali district in the first week of August.
“The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption was directed to lay a trap but couldn’t succeed since police officers were careful. However, the complaint was found to be true. On the basis of the complaint, a criminal case has been registered with the CID,” he wrote on X.
The top cop said the Assam Police remained committed to relentless and ruthless action against corrupt practices
