BJP leader’s suicide: RTI activist Dulal Borah remanded to 5-day police custody

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 27, 2024

Right to Information (RTI) activist and proprietor of the news portal NEBharat, Dulal Borah was remanded to 5-day police custody by the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Charaideo district on Friday.

Borah was arrested on September 25 from a private hospital in New Delhi in connection with the suicide case of Debojit Hazarika, a BJP leader and chairman of the Rajapukhuri Gram Panchayat in Charaideo district.

Following his arrest, Borah was brought to Guwahati on Thursday from where he was brought to Sonari police station for interrogation.

Despite the police seeking an eight-day custody of Borah for further interrogation, the court granted five days.

Hazarika had been accused of embezzling government funds allocated for a temple, and his death by suicide was accompanied by a note naming Borah and three others: NE Bharat correspondent Parismita Baishya Phukan, Block Development Officer (BDO) Ranjit Buragohai, and News Live Sonari correspondent Rafiq Ahmed.

After reports about the allegations aired on several news portals and channels, Hazarika took his life, triggering the investigation.

Sonari police arrested Burahagohai, while Parismita, who had been absconding, eventually surrendered in court. Borah fled to New Delhi after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the Gauhati High Court. He was finally apprehended in Delhi and transported to Assam.

The case has sparked controversy and scrutiny due to the delayed filing of charges against Hazarika. Despite an investigation into the embezzlement allegations being closed on July 25, a case was filed against him on September 18, raising questions about the timing and motivations behind the charges.

The investigation continues to explore various unresolved aspects, including Hazarika’s activities and contacts before his death, as well as his interactions with political figures.

The All Assam Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad has demanded Borah’s punishment, while the Gauhati High Court has granted bail to News Live correspondent Rafiq Ahmed.