Assam cops file FIR against CBI over DGP Baruah’s suicide

Three days after former Director General of Police in Assam Shankar Baruah committed suicide, the Assam Police have filed a first information report (FIR) against the Central Bureau of Investigation teams that conducted raids at the police officer's residence in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam.

Baruah's house was raided by the CBI on 28 August over his alleged business links with the Saradha group.

The FIR was filed at Latasil police station on a complaint by journalist Dibyajyoti Hazarika, who alleged that the way CBI officials conducted the raid and took the ex-DGP to a branch of the State Bank of India to check his account was extremely humiliating.

According to CBI allegations, Baruah used his office to provide security to Saradha Group chief Sudipta Sen. The late IPS officer allegedly used to demand protection money from the Saradha Group.

Baruah, a 1974 batch Indian Police Service officer, shot himself with his licensed Webley-Scot .32 revolver in his residence at Baruwari after he was brought home after a three-day hospitalisation.

Complainant Hazarika told media that he felt Baruah's suicide was brought on by trauma and depression, particularly as the CBI raid was repeatedly aired live by TV news channels.

"I have met Barua a couple of times when he was with the Numaligarh Refinery. In his 36 years of service, there was no allegation against him," Hazarika said.

Assam Inspector General of Police Apurba Jiban Barua said, "Whatever allegation he (Hazarika) has brought in his FIR will be investigated.

"We have also registered a case of unnatural death and the investigation has started."