Tripura Human Right body seeks DGP’s report on alleged police threat to man

The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has sought a detailed report from the state’s Director General of Police (DGP), Anurag, following a serious complaint filed by a woman alleging coercion and threats by officers of the West Agartala Women Police Station. 

The DGP has been asked to submit the report by August 26.

In its order, the Commission stated it received a complaint from Ratna Rani Kar, a resident of Agartala, who claimed that police personnel attempted to force her son, Biplab Kar, into accepting a woman named Tanu Sutradhar as his wife under threat of legal action.

According to the complaint, Biplab Kar entered into a relationship with Tanu Sutradhar, which culminated in their marriage on December 15, 2024, conducted as per Hindu rituals. However, post-marriage, it allegedly came to light that Tanu had been married twice earlier and had three children—two from her first marriage and one from the second. These details, the complaint states, were concealed from Biplab and his family.

The complaint further alleges that Tanu initially claimed she was pregnant, but it was later revealed that she had undergone a sterilization procedure and could not conceive.

Following a dispute between the couple, Tanu reportedly filed a case at the West Agartala Women Police Station. In response, Biplab and his parents visited the police station where, according to the complainant, the Officer-in-Charge threatened them. The officer allegedly warned that if Biplab refused to accept Tanu as his wife, a rape case would be filed against him, which could result in 20 years of imprisonment. The officer is also said to have remarked that “a woman can marry four to five times nowadays, and that is not illegal.”

Terming these alleged actions as a violation of human rights, the THRC noted in its order that the complainant and her son were threatened and pressured by the police to accept the marital relationship despite revelations about Tanu’s past.

"Before taking formal cognizance, the Commission considers it appropriate to seek a factual report on the matter from the office of the DGP, Tripura," the order stated. The DGP has been directed to furnish the report by the next hearing date.