BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 21st March 2025: Chief Minister Dr. Manik Sarkar took decisive action by ordering the arrest of Bikash Debnath from Deocherra, Kalyanpur on charges of torturing and attempting to murder his minor wife Arpita Acharya. Bikash stands accused of setting Arpita on fire over a year back allegedly because she gave birth to a daughter.
Arpita and Bikash were married around three years back after a relationship, initially seemed to share a peaceful married life. However, trouble surfaced when Arpita accused her husband of attempting to burn her alive due to the birth of their daughter. Following the incident, she was admitted to GB Hospital in critical condition. Her father Abhijit Acharya cited financial constraints as the reason for discontinuing her treatment. Since then, Arpita has been living with her father in Pratapgarh along with her child.
On Thursday, Arpita holding her baby daughter staged a sit-in in front of the Chief Minister’s residence in Laxmi Narayan Bari Road here. She demanded justice for herself and her child, as well as punishment for her husband. Responding swiftly to the situation, the Chief Minister directed East Agartala Police Station OC Rana Chatterjee and his team to intervene. Arpita was subsequently escorted back to her father’s house and admitted to GB Hospital for treatment.
However, Arpita’s mother voiced dissatisfaction with the treatment provided at GB Hospital, claiming negligence even after the Chief Minister’s involvement. She alleged that her daughter was merely being administered saline without proper medical attention.
Meanwhile, the situation sparked unrest in Deocherra, as villagers staged a protest on Friday in front of Kalyanpur Police Station. They alleged that Arpita’s claims were fabricated and that the fire incident was accidental. The protestors called for the state government’s intervention, claiming that Bikash Debnath had been falsely implicated.
In response to the allegations, Kalyanpur police arrested Bikash Debnath under Sections 85 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code and presented him in Khowai court. Additionally, a zero FIR was registered at Kalyanpur police station based on a complaint filed by Arpita’s father at Agartala Women’s Police Station on March 16. Subdivision Police Officer Panna Lal Sen confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway.
The case has highlighted broader issues of domestic violence and the challenges faced by survivors in accessing justice and proper medical care. Community members and authorities alike are now closely monitoring the unfolding situation.
