CJP leader Saurav Das accuses Pondicherry Police of harassing kin, alleges central conspiracy

Puducherry: Saurav Das, a leader of the CJP, has accused the Pondicherry Police of harassing his family members. In a statement issued here, Mr. Das alleged that police personnel barged into his relatives' residence and subjected them to verbal abuse and threats. He described the conduct of the police as "acting like goondas," a remark that has sparked a political controversy in the Union Territory.

According to Mr. Das, the incident took place when his relatives were at home. He claimed that the police demanded to know his whereabouts and interrogated his family members in a hostile manner. The CJP leader said that the police did not produce any warrant or legal notice during the visit, which he termed as "harassment" and "intimidation."

Mr. Das further alleged that the police action was not a routine exercise but was orchestrated at the behest of the central government. He claimed that the ruling dispensation at the Centre is using central agencies and state police forces to target political opponents. "This is a clear case of misuse of power. The central government is trying to silence those who raise their voice against its policies," he alleged.

The Pondicherry Police have, so far, not issued an official response to the allegations. A senior police officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the department is yet to receive any written complaint from Mr. Das or his family members. "We operate within the law. Any suggestion of wrongdoing will be examined if a complaint is filed," the officer said.

The allegations come at a time of heightened political activity in Puducherry. The Union Territory has seen a series of protests over local issues, including infrastructure development and employment. Mr. Das has been an outspoken critic of the administration's policies, and this is not the first time he has accused the police of acting in a biased manner.

Political reactions to Mr. Das's allegations have been mixed. Leaders of opposition parties have demanded a thorough inquiry, stating that the credibility of the police force is at stake. Some have also drawn parallels to similar incidents in other states, where opposition leaders have alleged harassment by government agencies. Ruling party leaders, however, have dismissed the accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

The central government has not yet reacted to the allegations. Since Puducherry is a Union Territory, the central government has a direct role in its administration, including the police. This has led to questions about the impartiality of the investigating agencies. Legal experts say that while the police have a duty to maintain law and order, they must also adhere to constitutional safeguards that protect citizens from arbitrary action.

Civil rights organisations have urged the authorities to conduct a transparent probe into the incident. They have called for body-camera footage, if any, to be made public to ascertain the facts. "The police are expected to uphold the law, not to act in a manner that could be perceived as intimidation. The need of the hour is an impartial investigation," said a local activist.

As the controversy unfolds, Mr. Das has said that he will approach the courts if necessary. He has also called upon the National Human Rights Commission to take note of the incident. It remains to be seen how the administration responds to these serious allegations, which, if true, would constitute a grave violation of civil liberties.

This newspaper has reached out to the office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister for their comments. Their responses will be reported as and when they are received.