Agartala, August 18, 2026: The Tripura High Court has directed the state police to immediately register an FIR and initiate an investigation by a senior officer of the Crime Branch into allegations that police personnel at Bishalgarh Police Station allegedly stole gold from a vehicle intercepted in February this year.
The allegations were raised by Billal Mia, a resident of Madhyapara in Melaghar, who approached the High Court after his complaint was allegedly not registered by Sonamura Police Station.
According to Mia’s lawyer, Advocate Shankar Lod, Mia and his family members were travelling from Sonamura towards Agartala carrying around 2.780 kg of gold for sale to raise money for the treatment of an ailing family member. The vehicle was allegedly stopped by Bishalgarh Police near Bishalgarh College on the main road on February 20, 2026.
The lawyer alleged that the vehicle was subsequently taken to a tea garden area and searched before the occupants were taken to Bishalgarh Police Station, where they were allegedly detained until evening. He further alleged that the gold was missing from the vehicle during the period.
A complaint was subsequently submitted at Sonamura Police Station on February 26, but the police allegedly refused to register an FIR. A copy of the complaint was then sent to the Superintendent of Police of Sepahijala district on February 28 and was received on March 3, according to the lawyer. However, an FIR was allegedly not registered.
Mia later filed a writ petition before the High Court on March 18.
During the proceedings, an inquiry report prepared by an Additional Superintendent of Police was brought before the court. According to Advocate Lod, the report stated that a police official had entered the vehicle twice after it was brought to Bishalgarh Police Station.
The lawyer questioned why the vehicle was searched in the absence of the complainants when, according to him, they were present at the police station at the time.
Advocate Lod alleged that the matter involved Bishalgarh Police Station personnel and accused them of failing to perform their statutory duties. He also named police personnel, including Sub-Inspector Banijay Reang and Bishalgarh Police Station Officer-in-Charge Supratim De, in connection with the allegations.
The lawyer further alleged that the Sonamura Police Station officer and the Sepahijala district Superintendent of Police failed to ensure registration of the complaint.
The High Court, however, has not made any finding that the accused police personnel committed the alleged offences. The court has directed that the FIR be registered and that the matter be investigated by a senior Crime Branch officer, with further action to be taken according to law.
Advocate Lod said the FIR has already been registered against Supratim De and Banijay Reang, among others, and expressed hope that the police administration would take appropriate action based on the investigation.
The allegations against the police personnel are subject to investigation and judicial determination.
