Former MLA Dilip Paul files FIR against 9 BJP workers on allegation of ‘defaming’ him in social media

July 16: Former BJP MLA from Silchar, Dilip Kumar Paul lodged FIR against 9 BJP workers at Silchar Sadar Police Station on Saturday. In the FIR, Dilip Paul alleged that on the issue of breach of Bethukandi dyke, which led to the devastating flood in Silchar, fingers were pointed towards him in social media, which has tarnished his image among the masses.

The 9 persons against whom Dilip Kumar filed FIR are: Jayanta Chakraborty, Krishanu Das, PK Ghosh, Rupam Dey, Ashok Purkayastha, Vishal Basak, Samrat Choudury, Sumona Das and Santanu Roy.

The former MLA in his police complaint wrote, “I am the two-time ex-M.LA of Silchar Assembly Constituency and also held the post of Deputy Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly. I contested the last assembly election held in the year 2021 as an Independent candidate. After the elections, I have not been in public life and concentrated on my business and social works.”

Saying so, Dilip Paul wrote, “Recently a devastating flood took the entire Silchar Town and its surrounding areas under its grasp. It has been in the news that the water entered Silchar Town through the portions of the dyke at Bethukandi, which was cut by some anti-social elements. An F.I R has been lodged in that regard and originally few persons were arrested. Subsequently one Sri Raju Deb of Bethukandi, Silchar was wrested very recently. The accused no 1 (Jayanta Chakraborty) in order to malign my character and reputation has made a false post from his Facebook Account alleging that the arrested accused Raju Deb is my close associate and raising a question whether I have instructed for cutting of the dyke knowing fully well that I am no way involved in the aforesaid activity ……”

“The accused no 2 to 5 with the intention of causing harm to my reputation have made false comments on the said Facebook Post made by the accused no 1 and accused no 6 to 9 have shared the post from their respective Facebook account. The aforesaid act on the part of the accused persons have caused serious harm to my reputation. In the above premises I request your kindself to be kind enough to investigate into the matter and take serious action against the accused persons named below for which I shall remain grateful to you.”

Infact, on the basis of an FIR lodged by the Irrigation Department on 23 May, 2022, Cachar Police after due investigation registered the case on 21 June, 2022. During his 3rd visit in a row to Silchar on 2 July, 2022, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “As of now, we have information of 6 people involved in the Bethukandi dyke breach incident which flooded Silchar. On the basis of the FIR, 4 persons were arrested in this connection by Cachar Police. Those arrested were identified as Mithu Hussain Laskar, Nazir Hussain Laskar, Ripon Khan & Kabul Khan. However, after couple of days, police made the 5th arrest in this case, who was identified as Raju Deb.

It needs mention here that Dilip Paul had a long time association of BJP. His political career started with becoming Municipal Commissioner, from where he gradually got the party ticket and became MLA of Silchar twice from the BJP. He was also made the Deputy Speaker during the Chief Ministership of Sarbananda Sonowal. He, however, resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker after a couple of months. However, during the Assembly Election of 2021, BJP did not give ticket to Dilip Paul. Instead, the party preferred a new face, Dipayan Chakraborty. At this stage, Dilip Paul decided to contest the election as an independent candidate, which led to his expulsion from the party.