DM, wife 'assault' man inside police station, video goes viral
Darjeeling: A District Magistrate and his wife allegedly slapped and kicked a man and even threatened to kill him even as policemen were present, for allegedly posting indecent comments against the DM's wife on social media. In a video that has gone viral, Alipurduar DM Nikhil Nirmal and his wife are purportedly seen repeatedly slapping and kicking the man at Falakata police station.
Following this, there was widespread controversy and Nirmal has been sent on compulsory leave while Chiranjib Ghosh has taken over as the acting DM of Alipurduar. Binod Kumar Sarkar, the accused, was granted bail by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate II, Alipurduar, on Monday. Judge Purba Kundu raised questions as to why BDO Supratik Mazumdar had lodged the FIR against the accused and not the DM or his wife. The judge further questioned the DM's action (beating up the accused inside a police station). A video clip has gone viral on Sunday showing Nirmal and his wife beating up Sarkar mercilessly inside Falakata police station while the man is seen begging for forgiveness. In the clip, Nirmal, after slapping Sarkar, threatens him with dire consequences. "No one will speak against me in my district. If I can put you in the slammer within half-an-hour, I can go to your house and kill you too," threatens Nirmal in the clip.
His wife slaps and kicks the man and then orders for a baton to beat him up. The police later escort him out. Sarkar was arrested and charged under Sections 509 (eve teasing,) 354 (molestation) of the IPC along with Section 67 of the IT Act. While being taken to the Falakata Hospital, Sarkar stated that he was Nandini Krishnan's (Ranjan's wife) Facebook friend. The two had a disagreement while chatting and she added him to a group. In the group, others started abusing him. He simply retaliated with the comments.
Human Rights organisations, the civil society and netizens vehemently rebuked what they termed as the DM's "high-handedness." Community Human Rights, later during the day, lodged a complaint against the DM and his wife. Alipurduar Abhibhabok Mancha wrote a written complaint to the SP asking him to initiate legal action against the DM and his wife.
"If my son has done anything wrong let the law take its course. Is it right for the DM to take law in his own hands and beat him up mercilessly?" questioned the mother of the accused. She had visited Falakata police station to lodge an FIR against the DM and his wife. "We have granted the DM 10 days of compulsory leave. As of now, Chiranjeeb Ghosh, the ADM, will take charge," stated Barun Roy, Divisional Commissioner. 33-year-old Sarkar hails from Harinathpur, Deogaon Gram Panchayat, in Falakata. He is a private tutor by profession.
