Agartala, July 30: The Tripura Government on Thursday informed the Tripura High Court that the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Airport Police Station has been suspended for allegedly defying the instructions of a superior officer to register a First Information Report (FIR) on a woman’s complaint involving a cognizable offence.
The information was placed before the High Court during the hearing of a petition filed by a woman who alleged police inaction and harassment after she approached Airport Police Station with her complaint.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, senior advocate Purushottam Roy Barman, appearing for the petitioner, said the woman had lodged a complaint nearly a month ago, but the police allegedly refused to register an FIR despite the complaint disclosing a cognizable offence.
According to the petitioner, she was subsequently called to the police station, where she was allegedly harassed, made to remain at the station without legal justification and pressured to withdraw her complaint.
Roy Barman said that after receiving no response from the Airport Police Station, the complainant approached the Superintendent of Police (West Tripura) around 25 days ago. However, as no action was taken even after approaching the district police chief, 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. During the hearing, the state informed the court that an FIR has now been registered in connection with the complaint.
The government further informed the court that the Superintendent of Police, West Tripura, had earlier directed the Officer-in-Charge of Airport Police Station to register the FIR immediately after the complainant approached him. However, the OC allegedly failed to comply with the instructions of his superior officer.
As a result, disciplinary action was initiated against the police officer, and he was placed under suspension for disobeying official orders, the court was informed.
Taking note of the developments, the High Court also directed the police authorities to ensure the safety and security of the complainant during the course of the investigation.
The case has drawn attention to the importance of prompt registration of FIRs in cognizable offences and adherence to established legal procedures. The High Court is expected to continue monitoring the matter as the investigation progresses.
