In a development that has drawn attention across Assam, an FIR was registered on Friday against retired IAS officer Mr. Hitesh Dev Sarma after a journalist alleged that he was threatened for reporting on a protest linked to Mr. Sarma’s son, a police officer. The incident has sparked discussions around press safety, administrative conduct, and responsible public engagement.
Bajali Police Register Case Under Multiple Sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Bajali district’s Additional Superintendent of Police, Mr. Tribayan Bhuyan, confirmed that the FIR was filed at Pathshala Police Station. The case has been registered under sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation and death threat), 352 (intentional insult meant to provoke breach of peace), and 296 (obscene acts in public places) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Mr. Sarma, who retired as the State Coordinator of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam in 2022, is expected to be issued a formal notice soon.
Complaint Rooted in Coverage of Protest During Singer Zubeen Garg Death Case
Journalist Mr. Rana Deka, associated with Guwahati-based NKTV, stated in the FIR that the retired IAS officer had contacted him on Thursday, objecting to a news report related to the October 15 protest outside Baksa district jail. The protest erupted when police personnel were shifting five accused linked to singer Zubeen Garg’s death following a court order. During the coverage, Mr. Deka and his colleagues captured visuals showing some police officers—allegedly including Baksa’s Additional SP Mr. Geetartha Dev Sarma, son of the retired official—taking aggressive action against protesters.
Journalist Alleges Explicit Threats, Audio Submission Made to Police
According to Mr. Deka, the retired IAS officer accused the channel of using morphed videos to defame his son. When Mr. Deka attempted to clarify the authenticity of the report, the conversation allegedly escalated into direct intimidation. In his statement, he claimed Mr. Sarma warned him that he could be hit by a speeding vehicle, adding that the same could happen to his 8-year-old child while returning from school.
Describing the threat as explicit and alarming, the journalist lodged a formal complaint and submitted an audio recording of the call to the Bajali Police as evidence.
Police Initiate Statement Recording, Investigation Expected to Proceed Swiftly
The Bajali Police have called Mr. Deka to record his full statement, while a notice to the retired IAS officer is expected shortly. Authorities have assured that the investigation will proceed in a fair, transparent and timely manner, reinforcing procedural accountability within the state’s administrative and policing framework.
