A court has directed Nalbari police to file an FIR against District Commissioner Varnali Deka, following allegations of harassment by suspended ACS officer Arpana Sarmah, who claims mental abuse and misuse of authority.
Guwahati:The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court has instructed the Nalbari police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against District Commissioner (DC) Varnali Deka following a complaint from Arpana Sarmah, a suspended Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer. Sarmah’s formal grievance, submitted on May 8, 2024, alleges that Deka subjected her to mental harassment and abused her position of power.The alleged incident occurred on May 7, 2024, while Sarmah was serving as the Circle Officer for the Paschim Nalbari Revenue Circle and overseeing operations at the issue and receipt counter for the 40-Tihu Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC). Sarmah claims that DC Deka reprimanded her for failing to ensure the timely transfer of materials stored in trunks to their designated locations, which were to be moved by assigned laborers.According to Sarmah, the reprimand quickly escalated into a pattern of verbal abuse, with the DC’s behavior becoming increasingly aggressive. In an attempt to document the abuse, Sarmah tried to record the conversation as evidence of the harassment. Fearing for her safety as the situation grew more intense, Sarmah left the scene and sought shelter at the Nalbari Police Station, where she officially reported the matter.The CJM’s directive now paves the way for a police investigation into the alleged misconduct by the District Commissioner. The case highlights concerns regarding the conduct of senior officials and the treatment of junior officers within the Assam Civil Services.
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