Consumer Court row deepens as Tripura Bar Association calls General Body meeting, President files FIR
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, January 19, 2026
The controversy surrounding the West Tripura District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission intensified further with the Tripura Bar Association calling a General Body meeting to decide its future course of action, even as the Commission’s President Gautam Sarkar filed an FIR against advocates and office staff alleging forcible entry and intimidation.
The Tripura Bar Association has convened its General Body meeting on January 19 following serious allegations against the President of the Consumer Court, including gross misconduct and consumption of alcohol during office hours. As part of its protest, the Bar Association has decided to boycott proceedings of the concerned court on the same day. Secretary of the Tripura Bar Association, Kaushik Indu, stated that the decision was taken by the executive committee and the General Body meeting would take a final call on the matter. He also mentioned that similar allegations had been raised against Sarkar in the past and that they had been informed about an ongoing departmental inquiry against him.
Meanwhile, Gautam Sarkar lodged an FIR at the New Capital Complex Police Station accusing around 30 advocates, along with office staff and others, of forcibly entering his official chamber. In his complaint, Sarkar alleged that the group attempted to snatch his bag containing important case files and created a hostile atmosphere inside his chamber. He claimed that the incident caused him severe physical distress, including palpitations and discomfort, and considering his age of over 61 years and his cardiac condition, he sought immediate medical attention. Sarkar further alleged that the act amounted to deliberate obstruction of the functioning of a statutory quasi-judicial body and was intimidating and motivated in nature.
On the other hand, advocates and staff of the Consumer Court have reiterated their allegations, claiming that Sarkar often conducted hearings under the influence of alcohol and misbehaved with lawyers and court staff. The situation has led to chaos in the functioning of the Consumer Court, with tensions escalating between the Bar Association and the Commission President.
The developments on January 19 are expected to be crucial, as the Bar Association’s General Body meeting is likely to determine the next steps amid mounting allegations, counter-allegations and ongoing legal and administrative scrutiny.
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