A Congress MlA from Assam continues to enjoy a free run even after a case was registered against him under some non-bailable Sections of the IPC over an incident of assault.
A constable of Jorhat police, Kamal Mohan had filed an FIR recently accusing Congress MlA from Mariani legislative Assembly constituency Rupjyoti Kurmi and his personal security officers of assaulting him on duty in Jorhat. The incident took place after Mohan, a driver, allegedly blocked the road when the MlA’s vehicle was passing by.
later, based on an FIR filed by the constable, a case was registered against Kurmi under Sections 341, 294, 332, and 34 of the IPC, one of which is non-bailable. It has been four days since the case was registered, but the police have not arrested the MlA yet.
What complicated the arrest is the threat issued by 30 other MlAs of the Congress that they would resign from the Assembly if Kurmi is arrested. These MlAs have been at daggers drawn with Chief Minister
Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the home portfolio, over alleged discrimination against them. They have openly supported Kurmi in the case claiming that he is innocent.
In the 126-member Assam Assembly, Congress has 79 members and is backed by 12 Bodoland People’s Front MlAs. Gogoi’s worries, possibly, are about the numbers.
“He is innocent. He is being framed as part of a conspiracy against him and against all of us,” a rebel MlA alleged. Initially, the police swung into action but they are apparently in no mood now to arrest the MlA.
“We’re looking for him,” Jorhat Superintendent of Police Sanjukta Parashar said.
When asked by the journalists on Monday, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday refused to comment on the incident saying investigation in the case was on.
“If a case is registered against an ordinary citizen under these Sections of the IPC, he will be immediately arrested. Here, the case will proceed based on the statement given by the victim and the victim has accused the MlA,” a senior IPS officer said requesting anonymity.
The Opposition parties have lambasted the Government for its ‘inaction’ in the case.