Agartala: The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has directed the state government to take disciplinary action against senior police officer Prasun Kanti Tripura for abusing his authority, participating in an unlawful assembly, and causing a public nuisance. Following an independent investigation triggered by a complaint from Dr. Kaushik Debnath’s father, the Commission found Tripura guilty of assaulting the doctor on January 25, 2024.
The THRC has recommended that the Police Department initiate disciplinary proceedings against Tripura and compensate Dr. Debnath with Rs. 25,000, to be deducted from the officer’s salary.
Notably, Tripura is a social media figure known for his daily life vlogs, which gained popularity during his tenure as SDPO in Teliamura, Khowai District.
Details of the Incident
The altercation originated from a minor car accident involving Tripura’s children. Mistakenly accusing Dr. Debnath of recording the commotion on his mobile phone, Tripura’s daughter seized his device. This led to Tripura and a group of 15-20 people confronting and assaulting Dr. Debnath near the AG office. Evidence revealed that Tripura’s children followed Dr. Debnath’s vehicle, contradicting claims of prior hospitalization.
The investigation uncovered:
- Fabricated Testimony: Tripura provided false accounts to justify his actions.
- Misuse of Position: He led an unlawful assembly and physically assaulted Dr. Debnath, causing significant injuries.
- Unauthorized Absence: Tripura left his SDPO Amtali post without permission from the SP, West Tripura, to engage in the altercation.
Commission’s Findings and Recommendations
The THRC emphasized that Tripura’s actions violated professional ethics, undermined public trust in law enforcement, and endangered public safety. Key recommendations include:
- Compensation: Rs. 25,000 to be paid to Dr. Debnath, recovered from Tripura’s salary.
- Disciplinary Action: Action against Tripura for leaving his post without authorization and leading an unlawful assembly.
The Commission concluded that Dr. Debnath’s injuries resulted from a misunderstanding and noted no credible evidence of harm to Tripura’s children. It urged the state government to implement these recommendations to uphold accountability and restore public trust in law enforcement.
