Tripura High Court orders Crime Branch probe into alleged Police inaction in Gold theft case

The Tripura High Court has stepped in to order a Crime Branch investigation into a sensational case involving the alleged theft of three kilograms of gold, after complainants accused local police of failing to register their complaint despite repeated attempts.

The controversy began when the complainants approached Bishalgarh Police Station with details of the theft but alleged that their complaint was not recorded. They then went to Sonamura Police Station, where they claim they faced the same refusal. A written complaint was later submitted to the Superintendent of Police’s office on February 28, received on March 3, but no FIR was registered even then.

Frustrated by what they described as deliberate inaction, the complainants filed a petition before the High Court. The matter quickly escalated when allegations surfaced that a vehicle carrying seized or relevant materials had entered the police station premises twice, but the complainants were denied access to witness what transpired. 

Advocate Shankar Lodh, representing the petitioners, argued that provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita could apply depending on the facts established, and questioned why police action was delayed in a case involving such a substantial quantity of gold.

The petition also sought an FIR against the Officer-in-Charge of Bishalgarh Police Station and two other personnel. While the Superintendent of Police, Sepahijala, Bijay Debbarma, had earlier directed an Additional SP to conduct an inquiry, the complainants alleged that the investigation made little progress.

In its directive, the High Court ordered that the case be properly registered and handed over to a competent officer of the Crime Branch, ensuring that the probe is conducted independently and with full scrutiny.

The complainants have demanded immediate arrests and a thorough investigation into the whereabouts of the missing gold. The case has now raised pressing questions:

Where did the three kilograms of gold allegedly go?

Why was an FIR not registered despite repeated approaches?

What evidence exists regarding the alleged involvement of police personnel?

The High Court’s intervention has placed the spotlight firmly on police accountability in Tripura, with the Crime Branch probe expected to determine whether the lapses were procedural failures or deliberate misconduct. 

For the complainants, the order offers renewed hope that their grievances will finally be addressed, while for the wider public, it underscores the importance of judicial oversight in safeguarding justice.