Tripura, 26 Oct 2025: MLA Ranjit Debbarma has filed an FIR against Headlines Tripura editor and owner Pranab Sarkar at West Agartala Police Station, accusing him of spreading false and defamatory information through electronic and social media.
According to the FIR, Debbarma alleged that Headlines Tripura and other online platforms circulated fake documents including a fabricated Bangladeshi voter ID card and birth certificate in his name, attempting to portray him as a foreign national. The MLA described the allegations as “completely false, fabricated, and politically motivated,” aimed at tarnishing his image and damaging his political career.
In the FIR, Debbarma stated that he was born at Asil Para, under Jirania subdivision in Tripura, and has studied and lived in the state since childhood. He clarified that all his documents are genuine and have been verified by the Election Commission of Tripura.
“I came to the West Agartala Police Station because some media outlets, particularly Headlines Tripura, have been continuously spreading false reports about me without any verification or communication,” said Debbarma while speaking to reporters. “They didn’t even check the authenticity of those documents or contact me for clarification. I have noticed similar fake documents surfacing in the names of other leaders, but Headlines Tripura has only targeted me. I believe I am being targeted because I belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community and represent an ST constituency.”
Debbarma further claimed that the media outlet’s actions were deliberate and malicious, violating the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, 2000. He demanded strict action against those involved in spreading the misinformation.
The MLA’s written complaint, submitted under reference number TLA-24/M/MLA/BW/VOL-II/181, has been officially received by the West Agartala Police.
Police sources confirmed that a case has been registered, and an investigation is underway into the allegations made against Headlines Tripura editor Pranab Sarkar and others allegedly involved in fabricating and circulating the documents.
