Minister Parimal Suklabaidya's driver missing since 2016; Mother moves to Gauhati High Court

Kajal Dutta, who as per his mother Shefali Dutta- used to work as the driver of Dholai MLA and Forest and Environment, Fisheries and Excise Minister Parimal Suklabaidya has been missing since Aug 16, 2016.

It’s been almost four years and he is still missing. Shefali Dutta has now approached the Gauhati High Court with a prayer to transfer the case to CBI or any other Investigating team as “deemed fit” by the court for finding her missing son.

The petitioner i.e. Shefali Dutta has also mentioned in her petition that she came to know “from reliable sources” that her son (Kajol Dutta) had been illegally detained by the minister with aid of Cachar Police. The mother alleged that Suklabaidya is exerting his “Political power upon the police for not conducting an investigation” of the case.

“The petitioner respectfully begs to submit that she being an old lady of 70 years is now on the verge of starvation as to date, apart from false assurances and vague investigation she has received nothing,” reads the petition. It adds, “In spite of being aware that the said fact may take away her life but to protect the life of one whom she has given birth she knocked all possible door with a hope to get back her son.”

“The petitioner requested Respondent 5 (Parimal Suklabaidya) to release her son from his illegal detention. Several times she went to the police station begging for help before the concerned police station” it further reads.

There are 5 respondents made in the case, who are –The state of Assam, DGP Assam Police, The SP Cachar Police, The Officer in Charge, Silchar PS and Minister Parimal Suklabaidya.

The point 19 of the petition also noted that after this petition there may be pressure from all corner for withdrawal of the case, “As such, the petitioner’s life and liberty may also be in danger, for which, this court may be pleased to direct the state police officials to provide necessary security to the life and limb of the petitioner and her other family members.”

It can be mentioned here that Kajol Dutta used to work as the driver of Minister Parimal Suklabadya. In the FIR filed by Shefali Dutta earlier, she mentioned that Kajal Dutta often used to stay back at Parimal Suklabadiya’s residence for 2-3 nights. However on Aug 17, 2016, a female who used to work at the minster’s house as a house help reached out to Shefali Dutta with the message that her son is not at the work.

Shefali Dutta, while speaking to Barak Bulletin had said that whenever she used to ask Suklabaidya about her son, the minister used to say he will use his resources to find out Kajol, thereby stopping her to file any police complaint.

What happened to Kajal Dutta, where is he and why hasn’t he got in touch with his family? The FIR was filed at Silchar Sadar Police Station, what investigation did they do. There are plenty of questions that are yet to be answered in the case of Kajal Dutta. The minister was unavailable for comment.