Controversy Over Arrest and Release of BJP Janajati Morcha Leader Pratik Debbarma

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 3, 2025

A major political and legal controversy has erupted after the arrest and subsequent release of BJP Janajati Morcha leader Pratik Debbarma, son of former Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Debbarma (presently Governor of Telangana), along with his three associates Ajay Ray, Rajat Das, and Parthasarathi Chowdhury from Agartala NCC Police Station. The arrest was made on Monday late afternoon following a written complaint by Tipra Motha’s Kanchanpur MLA Philip Reang, but within just a few hours the accused were released late at evening, sparking sharp debates across Tripura’s political and legal circles.

According to the FIR lodged by MLA Philip Reang, Pratik Debbarma and his associates allegedly issued death threats, illegally entered his residence, and used abusive language. These charges fall under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS, 2023), which includes both bailable and non-bailable offences. Crucially, Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation to cause death) and Section 61 (criminal conspiracy) are non-bailable and cognizable, meaning that once an FIR is lodged, the police are not legally empowered to release the accused at the station level. In this case, it has not yet been confirmed whether the police formally registered the complaint as an FIR. Initially, police may receive a written complaint and register an FIR only after preliminary investigation.

Legal experts emphasize that if these sections were indeed included in the FIR, the release of Pratik Debbarma and his associates directly from the police station is legally questionable. As per procedure, they should have been produced before a magistrate, and only the court could have decided on bail. Police, however, maintain that they are investigating the case and will take action in accordance with the legal provisions and the new criminal laws.

The incident has now triggered a heated political debate. Leaders from Tipra Motha argue that the police yielded to political pressure and influence to release the accused quickly. The issue has also reportedly reached Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu and Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, with calls for accountability in the police’s handling of the case.

Meanwhile, NCC Police have not yet issued an official statement clarifying under what provisions the release was granted.

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