The case stems from an incident which took place on December 2023, when the three victims accused four police officials—including former SP Mrinal Deka, Sub-Inspector Debasis Dekari, Inspector Sim-Singh Timung, and former Tinsukia Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bibhash Das—of shooting them in the legs at point-blank range
GUWAHATI: Three victims of an alleged fake encounter in December 2023 recently filed a complaint with the Sessions Judge of Tinsukia, accusing investigating agencies of conducting a lackadaisical investigation and failing to follow due process of law.
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The complainants—Dipjyoti Neog, Manuj Buragohain, and Biswanath Borgohain—filed their plea under the provisions of the Supreme Court's PUCL vs State of Maharashtra guidelines. Their complaint alleged that the investigating officer (IO) is unfit to handle the case as he is junior to the accused police officer, former Sadiya Superintendent of Police (SP) Mrinal Deka.
Additionally, they have claimed that the Assam Police Commandant has been taking their statements despite lacking authority, especially since the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The victims further alleged that crucial witnesses' statements have not been recorded, even four months after filing FIRs. They have sought the court's intervention to address these grievances and ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
The case stems from an incident which took place on December 2023, when the three victims accused four police officials—including former SP Mrinal Deka, Sub-Inspector Debasis Dekari, Inspector Sim-Singh Timung, and former Tinsukia Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bibhash Das—of shooting them in the legs at point-blank range.
The police, however, claimed that the victims were linked to the United Liberation Front of Assam – Independent (ULFA-I) and were shot when they tried to escape custody, a charge the victims deny.
According to the victims, they were initially apprehended by the Assam Rifles and later handed over to the police. They allege that the police team stopped at the Hahkhati forest reserve around 3 AM, forced them to lie on the ground, and then shot at them.
Their affidavits detailing the incident have been filed with the Supreme Court in a special leave petition (SLP) concerning fake encounters and custodial deaths in Assam.