The Assam Police on Sunday issued a notice against the Indian Youth Congress chief BV Srinivas in connection with an FIR registered by expelled Assam Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) president Angkita Dutata at the Dispur police station in Assam’s Guwahati.
In a notice dated April 23, Moitrayee Deka, additional deputy commissioner of police (East Guwahati) asked the IYC chief to appear before the ADCP (East Guwahati), at Dispur Police Station in Guwahati at 11 am on May 2, 2023.
Sharing a copy of the notice on Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today reacted to the allegations made by Indian National Congress MLA, Randeep Surjewala, saying that it was unfair to blame him for the lack of a safe environment within the Congress party for female workers.
In the tweet, CM Sarma said, “The Assam police is acting in accordance with the law. They are currently investigating a case filed by a female Congress worker against the accused person under Section 354 of IPC. It is unfair to blame me for the lack of a safe environment within the Congress party for female workers. Please advise the accused to cooperate with the legal process.”
The Assam police is acting in accordance with the law. They are currently investigating a case filed by a female Congress worker against the accused person under Section 354 of IPC. It is unfair to blame me for the lack of a safe environment within the Congress party for female… https://t.co/ebVgqWQZRW pic.twitter.com/bK7HeEOAAd
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 23, 2023
Karnataka | A team of Assam Police reaches the residence of the uncle of IYC president Srinivas BV at Basaveshwara Nagar in Bengaluru in connection with the case against him by Angkita Dutta, former President of Assam Youth Congress.
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2023
"We are here to investigate the case. We… pic.twitter.com/04tto4hgjW
The notice further directed the Youth Congress national president to refrain from commiting any offence in future and not tamper with the evidence in the case.
The notice also asked him to not make any threat, inducement or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case.
As per the notice he will have to appear before the court whenever required, will join the investigation of the case and cooperate in the investigation, will disclose all the facts truthfully and will produce all relevant documents required.
Besides, the notice said that he will have to render his full cooperation and will not allow the destruction of any evidence relevant for the trial of the case.
“Failure to attend/comply with the terms of this notice can render you liable for arrest under section 41A (3) and (4) of CrPC,” the notice read.
A team of Assam Police reached the residence of the uncle of Srinivas BV at Basaveshwara Nagar in Bengaluru in connection with the case. “We are here to investigate the case. We came to the home of Srinivas BV. As no one was here, we have pasted the notice here, we are also sending the notice to his native place. We have given him a notice, a time to appear before the investigation officer and cooperate in the process of investigation,” says Prateek Thube, Joint Commissioner of Police, Assam, as quoted by the news agency ANI.
On Thursday, Dutta had filed a police complaint against IYC chief Srinivas BV for allegedly harassing her for six months.
In her written complaint lodged with the police, Dutta accused Srinivas of continuously harassing her for the past six months. She said the IYC leader not only made sexist comments, but also used “slang words” against het, besides allegedly threatening her of dire consequences if the she complained against him before the higher-ups in the Congress Party. Dutta also requested the Assam Police to take immediate action against Srinivas.
The Dispur police registered a case against Srinivas under Sections 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman)/294 of the IPC (Sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place), /341 of the IPC (Punishment for wrongful restraint) /352 of the IPC (Whosoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person otherwise than on grave and sudden provocation given by that person)/ 354 of the IPC (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty)/354 A (iv) of the IPC (Physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures) /506 of the IPC (Whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both; If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc.), and section 67 of IT Act 2000 (Punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form).
