Cachar College principal breaks silence on his arrest, says Proff Swadesh Das reported "he was slapped" by DC

Cachar College principal Dr. Siddhartha Shankar Nath breaks his silence on the issue of his arrest on Sunday. He was arrested following an FIR lodged by the deputy commissioner of Cachar, Rohan Kumar Jha. Today, speaking with Barak Bulletin, Professor Nath said that he was disturbed and shocked.

“Without giving me a reason, they detained me for hours, and made us sign several bonds. Why was I being detained is a question I kept asking again and again and the Police officials cordially responded each time that they do not know,” said principal Nath.

According to the principal, he got a call from the deputy commissioner in the morning. “DC asked me why there was a delay in the collection of question papers and other examination booklets. To which, I responded that Dr. Swadesh Ranjan Das, Head of Philosophy is on his way and will collect it. When I called and asked Dr. Swadesh Ranjan Das about the delay, he informed me that there was a problem with the vehicle and that is why he was late,” informed professor Nath.

Today, a section of the students of the Cachar College launched a protest against the District Administration for the alleged assault on Dr Swadesh Ranjan Das, Head of Philosophy. When asked about the same, the Principal said, “I have been verbally reported by Dr Swadesh Ranjan Das that he was slapped and asked to do sit-ups holding his ears (Kan Pakad Ke Uthak Baithak). Professor Das said this to me in presence of the president of the governing body. These are verbal statements, we are waiting for the formal report.”

Cachar DC, Rohan Kumar Jha refused to comment. One of the ADCs in the administration said that a case has already been registered and if someone wants to collect the FIR copy, they can reach the court and source the same.

The Principal also stated that everything was happening as per the protocol laid by the administration. The allegations pressed by the Principal against the deputy commissioner of Cachar are based on a verbal statement that according to him Dr. Swadesh Ranjan Das, Head of Philosophy submitted before him, and the president of the governing body of the institution.

However, sources in the administration have stated that they have concrete evidence to prove that the center was shut till 8:00 am while as per protocol, it should have been opened at 7:30 am. All the institutions collected their materials before 7:30 am as per protocol, however, Cachar College did not do so till 7:30 am is what the sources in District Administration claim. Based on these pieces of evidence, the FIR was lodged and the investigation kickstarted. The slapgate is a fact or not is something that remains to be seen.

Cachar College Principal, however, stated that Dr Swadesh Ranjan Das went to the Deputy Commissioner’s office at 7:10 am, while top sources in the administration say they have proof of the fact that he didn’t reach till 7:30 am.