Probe launched as rape survivor accuses Tripura magistrate of sexual assault

AGARTALA: A rape survivor has come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by a magistrate within his court chamber in Tripura.

Following the complaint, a three-member panel led by Dhalai district and sessions Judge Gautam Sarkar has launched an investigation into the matter.

According to the survivor, the incident occurred on February 16, when she visited the chamber of first-class judicial magistrate at Kamalpur in Tripura to provide her statement regarding her alleged rape case.

In her formal complaint to the additional district and sessions judge in Kamalpur, the woman detailed her experience, stating, “When I was about to give my statement on February 16, the judge groped me inside his chamber. I immediately left and informed both the lawyers and my husband about the incident.”

Additionally, the woman's husband filed a separate complaint with the Kamalpur Bar Association in Tripura.

In response to the survivor's allegations, district and sessions Judge Gautam Sarkar, accompanied by chief judicial magistrate Satyajit Das, visited the additional district and sessions judge's office in Kamalpur to conduct an investigation.

Shibendra Dasgupta, secretary of the advocate body, revealed that the panel met with members of the Kamalpur Bar Association on the court premises to gather their perspectives on the allegations.

Registrar General of the Tripura high court, V Pandey, addressed the issue, stating, “We have not yet received an official complaint regarding the matter. Like other citizens of the state, I learned about it through the media and social media platforms. Upon receiving a formal complaint, appropriate action will be taken.”