Assam IPS officer, others arrested for extortion of Muslim businessman

Guwahati: The Assam police have arrested nine individuals, including high-ranking police officers, based on a complaint from a Muslim businessman.

The allegation is that they demanded a significant sum from the businessman, threatening him with a staged encounter and concocting a false terrorist story when he failed to provide the requested amount, according to a report published in The Indian Express.

Businessman Rabiul Islam came forward with harrowing claims of police harassment and extortion. Islam asserted that he was not only wrongfully detained but was also coerced into paying a staggering sum of Rs 2.5 crore to avoid a staged encounter. According to his complaint, the threat was delivered by an individual who identified himself as an "encounter specialist."

On Monday, Assam Police made a significant move by arresting Siddhartha Buragohan, a 2014 batch IPS officer who had served as the Superintendent of Police in Bajali before his recent transfer to Assam Police Headquarters.

Alongside him, Deputy Superintendent of Police (HQ) Pushkal Gogoi, Additional Superintendent of Police Gayatri Sonowal, her husband Subhas Chander, Sub-Inspector Debajit Giri, and Constable Injamamul Hassan were also taken into custody. Completing the list of detainees were Kishore Baruah and police drivers Nabir Ahmed and Dipjoy Kalita.

Assam's Director-General of Police, G P Singh, revealed that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption had attempted to lay a trap in response to the initial complaint but had been unsuccessful due to the vigilance of the accused police officers.

However, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered as the complaint was deemed "prima facie true." Assuring the public, Singh declared, "Lawful action is being taken. As always, we remain committed to relentless, ruthless action against corrupt practices."

The series of events unfolded on July 16 when police personnel allegedly barged into Rabiul Islam's family home in the dead of night. They forcibly removed him from his residence, questioning him about drugs and cash, of which he claimed to have no knowledge.

According to Islam, he was subjected to hours of physical abuse, with officers punching and kicking him relentlessly. The police proceeded to search his home without a warrant, confiscating several personal belongings.

Islam and two relatives were then transported to Bhabanipur police station, where they were detained without their consent. The following day, he alleged that he was taken to the residence of the Superintendent of Police, where he endured further interrogation regarding illegal articles. During this questioning, he claims to have been physically assaulted multiple times by the police officer.