Fake Molestation Case: Police arrest Brother-Sister duo after Ullaskar Dutta Sarani residents lodge FIR

Silchar’s Ullaskar Dutta Sarani Durga Puja controversy has taken a new turn as Cachar Police arrested Suzane Purkayastha, alias Sushmita, on Tuesday morning (October 7) and her brother Sandip Purkayastha on Monday night (October 6), following a counter FIR lodged by members of the Durga Puja Committee and local residents. The FIR was registered at Silchar Sadar Police Station on Monday (September 6).

Earlier, Suzane Purkayastha had accused four men of the same lane of molestation, outraging the modesty of a woman and assaulting her on the night of Vijaya Dashami (around 1 AM on October 3) at the Ullaskar Dutta Sarani Durga Puja pandal. Based on her complaint, police had detained the four accused, with two still in jail and two others in police custody.

However, the Puja Committee and residents have now alleged that Suzane’s complaint was “fake” and filed a counter FIR against the Purkayastha family — Suzane, her brother Sandip, and their mother Bina Purkayastha. The complaint alleges that on the day of the incident, Suzane Purkayastha came to the pandal demanding the committee’s expenditure list for Durga Puja 2025. When told that the details would be shared after the festival, she allegedly began arguing, used vulgar language towards elderly members and women, and damaged pandal property such as chairs and a water filter.

The FIR further states that Sandip Purkayastha physically assaulted a woman, rendering her senseless, who was later admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital before being shifted to a private nursing home as her condition worsened. It also claims that the accused persons assaulted a senior citizen and tore the clothes of another woman. Additionally, the complaint alleges that Suzane threw the “holy water” of Goddess Durga and used abusive language against the deity and the committee, hurting religious sentiments.

The FIR also accuses the Purkayasthas of threatening to kidnap and assault the children of several residents, including the ones she named in her FIR.

The complaint has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 117(2), 118(2), 296, 3(5), 300, 302, 214(4), 351(2), 74, 76, and 79.

The FIR cites several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions related to voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means (Sections 117(2) and 118(2)), outraging the modesty of a woman and use of criminal force (Sections 74, 76 and 79), and criminal intimidation (Section 351(2)). It also includes Section 296, which deals with obscene acts or words in public, and Sections 300 and 302, concerning acts that disturb or insult religious assemblies or sentiments.

Additionally, Section 3(5) establishes joint liability when a criminal act is committed with common intention, while Section 214(4) pertains to refusal to answer questions posed by a lawful authority.

Together, these sections cover a wide range of offences — from physical assault and public obscenity to intimidation, religious disturbance, and acts committed in furtherance of a shared criminal intent.

While police continue to investigate both FIRs, the controversy — which began as a molestation allegation and has now evolved into a case of counter-accusations — has deeply disturbed the Jail Road locality.