Udharbond Tutor Arrested For Minor Molesting Student, Parents Allegedly Silenced By Political Pressure

A tutor from the Shalganga area of Cachar was arrested on charges of molesting a student, in the name of home tuition. Nibaran Das was arrested on Friday afternoon (August 22) for allegedly molesting a student who had gone to his residence for after-school private classes. The incident took place on July 23, but Das was arrested almost a month later due to alleged political intimidation by a member of the ruling party in Udharbond. Out of fear, the parents did not file an FIR with the police; later, the matter was taken to the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which ultimately led to the arrest.

According to the complaint, on July 23, when the minor victim went to the teacher’s home for private tuition, she was alone at the teacher’s residence. Taking advantage of the situation, the teacher allegedly sexually abused her. She later ran home but was unable to share the ordeal with her parents. The next day at school, a cousin in the same class noticed her crying and asked what had happened. She then confided in her cousin, who informed her mother.

When the matter eventually reached the victim’s parents, they decided to approach Udharbond Police Station. However, before they could even enter the gate, a man outside the station advised them not to go in. He then called a ruling party leader and arranged a conversation. The leader advised the girl’s parents not to file an FIR and instead visit his house, where he claimed he would “settle” the matter.

At his residence, the leader, along with accused Nibaran Das, his brother (the principal of a reputed educational institution in Udharbond), the girl’s parents, and a local ex-teacher, allegedly threatened and pressured the parents against filing a police complaint. Following the leader’s advice, the parents returned home without lodging the FIR.

About a week later, some concerned locals from Shalganga advised the parents to approach the Child Welfare Committee. Accordingly, on August 2, the victim’s father filed a complaint with the committee. Acting on it, District Officer Dhanajit Choudhury investigated the matter and requested Udharbond police to take action.

On Thursday (August 21), Udharbond police recorded the girl’s statement, after which OC Sim Timung picked up the accused teacher, Nibaran Das, from his residence. At the time of filing this report, the accused teacher was in Udharbond police custody.

The main question that needs to be asked here is how a political leader, irrespective of party, can decide a matter that comes under the POCSO Act on his kangaroo court?