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Abuse of Power

Court Orders FIR Against IAS Officer Varnali Deka for Alleged ‘Harassment’ of Subordinate

A court in Assam’s Nalbari district has ordered the registration of an FIR against IAS officer Varnali Deka for allegedly harassing her subordinate, Circle Officer Arpana Sarmah, during election duty. The court emphasized the police’s obligation to investigate the case, highlighting a delay in action despite multiple complaints.

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Nalbari, Assam: In a notable development, the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) in Nalbari district, P Goswami, has directed the local police to register an FIR against IAS officer and District Commissioner (DC) Varnali Deka. This order follows allegations of harassment filed by Arpana Sarmah, a Circle Officer (CO) in the Paschim Nalbari region, who accused her superior of “mental harassment,” public humiliation, and intimidation while she was on election duty.

The ACJM’s decision, under Case No. CR/231/2024, reflects serious concerns over the alleged incidents, which reportedly took place during the Lok Sabha elections. According to Sarmah, the harassment included verbal abuse and unwarranted scrutiny that she endured over a period of several months. Her complaint also highlighted an incident in May, shortly after election voting took place, where she faced public humiliation from Deka for failing to manage election material transport due to unavailable resources.

The controversy deepened as Sarmah was suspended based on allegations from the DC, who claimed that Sarmah had left an election venue prematurely. Sarmah countered these accusations, asserting that she was being targeted on flimsy grounds and with malafide intent. The dispute reportedly forced Sarmah to escalate her grievances up the chain of command, initially appealing to the local Superintendent of Police (SP) and even the Director General of Police (DGP) for intervention. However, her pleas went unaddressed, prompting her to approach the court.

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The court’s order underscored the importance of prompt police action, remarking that the lack of progress on Sarmah’s complaints violated her rights. ACJM Goswami expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s handling of the issue, noting that despite an inquiry, no outcomes were disclosed, and no FIR had been filed five months later. The judge affirmed that registration of an FIR is mandatory in cognizable cases to activate the state’s criminal justice system, especially given the nature of the allegations.

The directive to register the FIR marks the first step towards a thorough investigation. The court also instructed the Officer-in-Charge of the Nalbari police station to expedite the probe and submit a final report based on the findings related to Sarmah’s complaint.

Sarmah’s claims highlight a recurring struggle with mental harassment since January, a situation she said led her to draft a resignation letter, which was later withdrawn upon counsel from well-wishers, including local MLA Chandra Mohan Patowary. This incident adds to the ongoing dialogue about workplace harassment within government ranks, particularly under high-pressure situations like election duties.

This case stands as a reminder of the accountability that government officials must uphold and the rights of subordinates to seek redressal against alleged mistreatment, even within hierarchical structures.

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