NCW Criticizes Birbhum Police on Anubrata Mondal Investigation

Kolkata, June 11 (PTI): The National Commission for Women (NCW) has reprimanded the police in West Bengal's Birbhum district for submitting an "inadequate" action taken report (ATR) regarding Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal. Mondal was allegedly captured in a viral audio clip using "filthy, unspeakable abuses" towards a police officer.

The commission, in a strongly worded follow-up letter issued on Tuesday to the Superintendent of Police in Birbhum, expressed "serious dissatisfaction" with the report. The NCW has required the district authorities to provide a revised ATR within five business days.

"Though an ATR has been received, it is grossly inadequate in content and does not satisfy the requisitions made by the Commission," stated NCW member Archana Majumdar.

The letter emphasized that the response did not include certified copies of the FIR, Mondal's medical examination report, and other requested documents.

The NCW raised concerns about procedural shortcomings, questioning whether the accused's interrogation was videographed, as required in cases involving serious charges.

The Commission also highlighted the alleged failure to upload the FIR online, which would breach norms designed to ensure transparency and public accessibility.

The letter pointed out that while the mobile phone of the complainant, the officer-in-charge of Bolpur police station, was seized, no digital devices belonging to Mondal were taken into custody.

Labeling this a "critical oversight," the NCW emphasized that digital evidence could be key to the investigation.

"The gravity of the charges calls for an immediate custodial investigation. However, records indicate that the accused remains free, with no decisive action taken towards his apprehension," Majumdar noted in the letter.

Referring to the "unequal treatment" being administered, the NCW observed, "Had such an offense been committed by an ordinary citizen, the law would have acted swiftly. The law should not be different for the influential."

The commission cautioned that inaction in this matter could send a "dangerous and demoralizing message to society, particularly to police officers and their families, that even officers in uniform cannot protect their families from street-level criminals with political support."

Invoking Section 10(4) of the NCW Act, the Commission directed Birbhum police to incorporate relevant cognisable sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita into the FIR, including Sections 74, 75, 79, 132, 224, 351(3), and 352, due to the serious nature of the allegations.

It also instructed the police to promptly seize Mondal's digital devices, reassess the need for custodial interrogation, and verify if his questioning was videographed. If not, the Commission demanded an explanation for non-compliance.

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