Fine imposed on two ACS officers

From our Correspondent

MANGALDAI, Jan  20: The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Darrang, Lohit Kumar Saikia in a landmark judgment passed on Wednesday, imposed a fine on two senior officers of Assam Civil Service (ACS) and in default ordered for imprisonment for three months to one accused officer and 20 days imprisonment to the other accused officer. The accused officers are mely former Additiol Deputy Commissioner of Darrang, Suresh Chandra Sarma (now Director of Welfare of Tea Tribes) and former Circle Officer of Mangaldai Revenue Circle Dr. Tahidur Rahman (now Circle Officer in Tezpur Revenue Circle in Sonitpur district).

According to the case records, president of Darrang District Government Drivers’ Association, Prafulla Deka had filed a CR case (No. 737/09) in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate against both the officers. In the case it was alleged that on the midnight of May 16, 2009, the Additiol Deputy Commissioner Suresh Chandra Sarma physically assaulted government driver Biren Boro with the help of the other accused Circle Officer Dr. Tahidur Rahman. The incident took place near the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex and residence. After hearing both the sides, the CJM Lohit Kumar Saikia today awarded a fine of Rs 1,000 on the Additiol Deputy Commissioner Suresh Chandra Sarma and in default to pay the fine awarded imprisonment for a period of three months. In the same judgment a fine of Rs 500 was imposed on accused Circle Officer Dr. Tahidur Rahman and in default awarded imprisonment for 22 days. However, both the accused officers submitted petition before the court to make appeal in the appellate court and were allowed to go on bail.

On the other hand, the accused Circle Officer Dr. Tahidur Rahman had lodged an FIR against driver Biren Boro at Mangaldai Police Station (Case No. 322/09) accusing the driver of reckless driving. The CJM after hearing both the sides acquitted the accused driver Biren Boro of all the charges. Advocate Premeswar Sarma and his associates appeared for driver Biren Boro in both the cases.