20 Hours in Police Custody: Prasanjit Deb Calls FIR Allegations False, Extortion Angle Emerges

Prasanjit Deb, who was taken into police custody on Thursday afternoon (August 27), was released from Silchar Sadar Police Station at around 9.30 am on Friday (August 28) after spending nearly 20 hours at the police station. His family alleged that they were not informed about why he had been taken into custody and were unable to meet or speak with him for several hours.

Deb’s mother said the family came to know about his detention only at around 8.30 pm on Thursday, nearly seven hours after he was taken to the police station at around 1 pm. She said she reached the police station at around 9 pm but was not allowed to meet her son. The family also claimed they were not informed whether he had been formally arrested or was being detained.

Speaking outside the police station on Thursday night, Deb’s mother said her son is an ulcer patient and expressed concern over whether he had received his medicines and food. She alleged that the family was kept in the dark about his condition and the reason behind his custody.

After his release, Deb posted on social media, claiming that an FIR had been lodged against him based on what he described as “false and fabricated allegations”. He also claimed that he had been kept at Silchar Sadar Police Station for around 20 hours without any proper reason. Deb thanked those who stood beside him and his family and said he would soon place the complete details and what he described as the truth before the public.

Police declined to comment on the matter, saying that the case is still under investigation. However, according to sources familiar with the matter an FIR has been registered against Deb and that, according to police records, the investigation is related to allegations involving extortion or money laundering. Sources further alleged that Deb had taken a significant amount of money from certain individuals by claiming that he had direct connections with senior BJP leaders and could arrange party tickets for them to contest the Panchayat elections.

Deb has previously been associated with the BJP and its affiliated organisations. His Facebook profile lists him as a former State Social Media Co-convenor of the BJP OBC Morcha from 2023 to 2025, a social media-related office bearer with BJP Cachar District in 2023, and an Executive Member of ABVP. His parents, however, said he had recently been suspended from the party.

In recent weeks, Deb had been vocal on several civic and political issues. He supported the campaign to save Kendriya Vidyalaya at Assam University and warned of protests if demands were not met. He also backed 50% reservation for women in the Silchar Municipal Corporation, while questioning whether tickets would go to deserving women or those with political family connections.

Deb also joined a Silchar protest over the alleged vandalism of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose statues in Shillong. He questioned alleged nepotism in the BJP’s municipal election committee, including the inclusion of members from the same family. He also questioned whether financially well-off families were receiving NFSA ration cards and Orunodoi benefits meant for poorer households.