Amir Shaukeen’s Police Custody Extended by 3 More Days, Questions Raised Over Police Inaction Against BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain Despite Multiple FIRs
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, November 14, 2026
The extension of police custody of Delhi-based social media content creator Amir Shaukeen by another three days has triggered questions over the apparent difference in the pace of police action in two separate cases involving alleged derogatory remarks against members of Tripura's tribal community.
While Tripura Police have taken Amir Shaukeen into custody and are continuing their interrogation over a controversial social media video allegedly containing derogatory and offensive remarks targeting a tribal youth from Tripura, serious questions are being raised over the absence of any comparable immediate police action against BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain, who has also faced multiple FIRs over alleged derogatory comments concerning tribal people and their food habits.
According to a police sources on November 13, the West Tripura Additional District and Sessions Court extended Amir Shaukeen's police custody by another three days after the expiry of his earlier custody period. He is now scheduled to be produced before the court again on November 16.
The case originated after a video circulated widely on social media on October 21, allegedly showing Amir Shaukeen making derogatory remarks against a young man from Tripura belonging to a tribal community. The video triggered widespread criticism and public outrage, with complaints alleging that the remarks were insulting to the tribal community and hurt its sentiments.
Following the incident, a case was registered on October 22 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, according to the police report.
Delhi Police subsequently arrested Amir Shaukeen from the Karol Bagh area of Delhi. Tripura Police brought him to Agartala on transit remand for further investigation.
On his production before the court, police initially sought seven days of custody for interrogation. The court granted police custody until November 12. Following the completion of that period, he was again produced before the court on Friday, November 13, when the investigating agency sought further custody. The court subsequently extended his police custody by another three days.
The controversy has also drawn attention because Amir Shaukeen had reportedly issued an apology following the circulation of the controversial video. However, the apology has not brought the criminal investigation to an end, and the police are continuing their investigation.
The developments have raised a larger question about the consistency and impartiality of law enforcement in Tripura.
BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain has also faced multiple FIRs over alleged derogatory comments concerning tribal people and their traditional food habits. His remarks had triggered widespread criticism, particularly among tribal organisations and sections of the public.
Despite the registration of multiple FIRs, questions are being raised over why no police station has reportedly served him a notice for questioning or initiated comparable investigative action so far.
The contrast has become particularly significant because the allegations in both controversies concern remarks allegedly insulting tribal people and their dignity, although the specific statements, circumstances and legal provisions involved in the two cases may differ.
In Amir Shaukeen's case, police acted across state boundaries, secured transit remand, brought the accused to Agartala and obtained successive extensions of police custody. His reported apology has not prevented the continuation of the investigation.
On the other hand, the alleged absence of even a police notice to the sitting BJP MLA, despite multiple FIRs, has raised questions about whether the same urgency and investigative standards are being applied in both cases.
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