Cachar ADC's wife: "Being mentally harassed" by husband who is in an "extramarital affair with assistant commissioner"

On June 9, 2020, additional deputy commissioner of Cachar, Anis Rasul Mazumder’s wife Mariam Tahira Laskar submitted a complaint to the deputy commissioner of Cachar Keerthi Jalli. In the complaint, Laskar alleged that she is being mentally harassed by her husband who happens to work directly under Jalli.

Barak Bulletin has got access to a copy of the complaint which reads, “I have the honour to state that since April 2019 I have been mentally harassed by my husband Mr Anis Rasul Majumdar who is working as ADC.”

The complaint submitted by Mariam Tahira Laskar adds,  “From sources, it has come to my knowledge that he is involved with Maria Tanim, Assistant Commissioner who is also working under you. I have been married for the last 17 years and I have never faced this kind of mental harassment. On confronting him he just said that adultery is not a crime according to the Supreme Court. But this has created havoc in my family’s life. I go into depression and suicidal tendencies also set in. I request you to kindly look into the matter and do the needful.”

“After complaining, my family has been hit by a storm,” says Laskar. While speaking with Barak Bulletin, she said that her husband, his brother, and father of Maria Tanim is creating immense pressure on her. “They want me to withdraw my complaint,” she said.

Laskar added that her brother-in-law is trying to frame her as a “mentally imbalanced” woman who needs medication.

“They keep saying I am a psycho,” asserted Laskar. Adding, “Not only me, but they are also torturing my minor daughters. They keep threatening me with Talaq. Maria Tanim’s father and my brother-in-law called and threatened my old father too. They just want to ruin my family, my life.”

She said that ADC Anis Rasul Mazumder’s elder brother has also sexually harassed her and her minor daughters. “He came in front of us and removed his lungi. He started threatening me that if I do not withdraw my complaint, they will make my life hell,” said Laskar.

Considering the current scenario, Laskar said she has lodged a police complaint, “The way my husband’s brother and Maria Tanim’s father started harassing me, I had no option but to go and report to the local police station.”

When reached out to Assistant commissioner, Maria Tanim she said, “I don’t know anything about this incident and I have no comments.”

This case of mental harassment involving high profile government is set to spur a huge debate. “Adultery which means voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse may not be a crime but mental harassment is. Whatever the woman has narrated, if it is true then it is a case of mental cruelty inflicted on a married woman by her husband and in-laws – an offense under section 498A. Also, there has been an attempt to insult the modesty of a woman by her inlaws, which is again an offense under 509,” said a practicing lawyer who did not wish to be named.

The lawyer added, “This is a sensitive case and assumption should not be made before a thorough investigation.”