Agartala: The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Airport Police Station in Tripura has been suspended for allegedly defying the directions of a superior officer to register an FIR on a woman’s complaint alleging a cognisable offence, the state government informed the Tripura High Court on Thursday.
The submission was made during the hearing of a petition filed by the woman, who alleged that police failed to act on her complaint despite repeated approaches to the authorities.
Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Purushottam Roy Barman told reporters that the woman had lodged a complaint with Airport Police Station about a month ago, but no FIR was registered.
He alleged that instead of initiating legal action, the complainant was summoned to the police station, unlawfully detained for some time, harassed and allegedly pressured to withdraw her complaint.
He further said that the woman later approached the Superintendent of Police (West Tripura) around 25 days ago after receiving no response from the local police. As no action followed, she moved the Tripura High Court seeking judicial intervention.
The matter came up before a Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court on Wednesday. After hearing the petition, the court issued notices to the respondents.
During the hearing, the state informed the court that an FIR had since been registered in the case. It also stated that the Superintendent of Police had directed the Officer-in-Charge to register the FIR immediately after the complainant approached him.
However, the officer allegedly failed to comply with the direction, following which disciplinary action was initiated and he was placed under suspension.
The High Court directed the police to ensure adequate safety and security for the complainant while the investigation proceeds.
The allegations made by the petitioner are yet to be adjudicated by the court. The matter remains pending for further hearing.