New Delhi: The family of the bride whose wedding was stopped by District Magistrate Shailesh Kumar Yadav Monday night over alleged violation of the 10 pm night curfew in Tripura has accused the officer of “harassment” and “ill behaviour”.
Speaking to ThePrint, the bride’s mother, Sabita Deb alleged that Yadav, the West Tripura District Magistrate, pushed people around and assaulted them.
“The local police have been kind and helpful but we are really mentally torn after the DM’s misbehaviour,” she said. “He pushed around and hit people. We will never forget the torture we have been subjected to. Never had we imagined that one of the happiest days of our life will take this bizarre turn.”
On being asked why the wedding was extended beyond 10 pm, she said, “You know how weddings are, the muhurat was for 11:30 pm, so we were all there.”
She added that they were all detained for two hours that night by the DM and were released after the local police intervened in their support. The wedding rituals were completed later.
She also said that the bride and the groom have been traumatised by the events of the night. “All of us are mentally devastated. Not in a position to talk to,” she said.
ThePrint contacted Yadav through repeated calls and Whatsapp messages but received no response until the publishing of this report.
The DM, however, apologised for his behaviour Tuesday, after facing a major backlash.
“I apologise if any individual or group is pained by last night’s action,” Yadav told reporters in Tripura. “But what was done last night was only for the benefit and well being of people. My aim was not to pain or humiliate anyone.”
Speaking to ThePrint, Tripura Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar dismissed rumours floating on social media that the DM had been suspended. “One inquiry committee with two secretary-level officers has been formed to probe the matter,” he said.
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‘Had followed guidelines’
The bride’s brother, Subhrajit Deb, has in a Facebook post lashed out at Yadav over him disrupting the wedding and disrespecting everyone, including the bride and the groom.
Deb has shared pictures of documents where permission was granted to carry out the ceremony. He also claimed that in line with Covid-19 guidelines, only 25-30 had gathered for the ceremony.
“As per Hindu religious timings, the auspicious time for marriage (logno) was 11:30 pm. Which we already mentioned in our documents submitted at the DM office with the wedding card attached,” Subhrajit said.
He also stated that Yadav’s office granted them four vehicle passes so that they could move around smoothly. Subhrajit also hit out at Yadav saying, “Sir, we educated fools request you not to fool simple people like us and harass at midnight even after issuance of orders from (your) office.”
“I am a postgraduate resident of the largest designated Covid centre in Kolkata. I have seen Covid deaths closely and am definitely aware of the protocols,” the brother wrote. “I never violated them and even strictly advised all my relatives for the same.”
While the bride’s family lives in Tripura, the groom is based in Bengaluru and had come to Agartala for the wedding. The bride’s father, Swapan Kumar Deb, is a doctor in Agartala.
‘Boorish & uncultured’ behaviour
Video clips of the DM’s behaviour went viral on social media, where he is seen shoving out the groom, tearing the permission letter for the wedding that he had signed and thrashing the priest, in a bid to stop the wedding ceremony at Manikya Court, a marriage hall in Agartala.
The wedding was held amid a 10 pm curfew, which had come into force on 22 April in the Agartala Municipal Council (AMC) areas.
An infuriated Yadav can be heard telling those gathered at the wedding that they were in direct violation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and would be prosecuted. Over 30 were detained and released later.
Once the video became viral, five Tripura BJP MLAs — Asish Kumar Saha, Diba Chandra Hrangkhawl, Ram Prasad Paul, Sushanta Chowdhury and Asish Das— Tuesday wrote to Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar demanding strict action against Shailesh Kumar Yadav, calling his behaviour “boorish and uncultured”.
Tripura royal scion and chief of TIPRA Motha, Pradyot Manikya Deb Barma, whose party recently won the tribal council elections here is also the owner of the Manikya Court where the incident took place.
“I have many bigger issues to discuss right now than marriage party issues ! Let the law take its own course …..my only advice is not to drag me into a political fight,” he wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
He also called for a complete investigation of the incident and said that he will close down the marriage hall as per the “verbal directions of Honourable DM Sahib”.
ThePrint also contacted the TIPRA chief through calls and messages and also on Twitter but didn’t get a response.
Yadav had raided another wedding hall Monday night and can be heard saying in the videos — “Manikya Court and Golap Bagan are banned and they will not be able to operate for the next one year”.
Tripura has 793 active Covid-19 cases and reported two deaths Tuesday.
(Edited by Arun Prashanth)
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Maintaing law & order is a state subject and state police is deployed well for that. Thrashing people after sunset, abusing them and flaunting your incumbent powers while keeping this incident of yours recorded and uploaded on social media platforms showcases your true colors.
Anyone who can speak few words of english seems to be an educated man to you, whereas those speaks the national language seems uneducated villager to our babu.
You guys are paid through the tax paid by common masses, so you are here to serve them, not to rule them.
The DM should be immediately suspended. Infact a case should be registered against him.. simple misuse of power. Time has come to change the structure of IAS recruitment.
DM should be suspended as he don’t have the rights to hurt someone emotions/ feeling in the wedding ceremony. he should learn how to treat the people as he is taking the salary from the public tax only.
You should be send again for the training as he is missing some basic training rules.
Come to ground reality sir after postponing a marriage for a year and getting permission for the marriage from the same DM if also 144 is in place which was declared in later date was not there other way to stopping the function other than this dabangness also if your sister marriage was disrupted in same way then what would have been your comment sir? Before commenting go through some background thought please
What the hell, he thinks of himself. On a bloody power trip. Come down from your high horse Mr. DM. You should be ashamed of your behaviour. The things which irk me the most is the way in the video he says, “Don’t talk like a villager”. WHAT the hell? This stereotype nature that villagers are uneducated or illiterate, tells me a lot about him. What does he think that people who live in villages are uneducated? FYI my great grand father-in-law was a villager and at the same time was a sarpanch of 75 villages. Bloody ignorant. Just by passing UPSC exam and taking in English and a few degrees under your belt does not make you a sensible, empathetic, understanding, and well-informed person. Zero duty of care. If he has some balls, tell him to stop the election rallies. Moreover, this attitude that common person can’t question them (government officials) is the most absurd mentality I have seen in India. You are appointed for us, not the other way round. So, work for us and be in your god damn limit. SHAME ON YOU DM – Shailesh Yadav.
Once the quota raj ends these babugiri will be gone,nothing better can be expected from these goons turned bureaucrats….need to be terminated from service.
D.M. did wrong.
He misbehaved and arrested members including ladies.
He thrashed and pushed the groom
He slapped an innocent priest.
Power has gone into his dirty head.
Criminal cases should be initiated against him
No this is not possible in democratic country where the law prevails of course he is Dm bt he is not court atleast he should know the limits of his powers inquiry should be initiated and why not he should be suspended?
He should know that marriage is only occasion on which families enjoy bt he has spoiled everything let him explain why he did it ?
How can he become an IAs instead he doesn’t have any common sense. They took permission for marriage. Other things are also happening with permissions like rallies kumbh elections .
DM is right. Bride and groom family should be put jail.
Hahahahha ! fake account of DM Yadav Sir spotted. The Family Had Taken all permission that to from your DM Sir. As an IAS Officer you get a traning to handle the people and this is not the way to handle people.
I would love to see your reactions if this would have been your marriage.
Thia is India where 3rd class people consider themselves supreme by holding a position. Position enables yoh to serve not to rule.
But his apologising act has totally jeopardized his so called good intentions. I support his stand against careless attitude of the general public, (partly learnt from the Politicians). He should have stood by his action plan. Anyways, now it’s like ‘Might is Right’ is Wrong….
This person should be dismissed.
If people can be excused for breaking sec 144,then wats the need of law.And that’s also at times of corona crisis.its time to show solidarity with other severely affected regions of the country but not to enjoy personal occasions.there should not be doubt on this issue ,its crystal clear.Any breach of sec 144 is a serious offence. The role of the DM was the need of. the hour
This is possible only in India.where these kind of idiot government servants can physically assault ordinary people as if they are some petty criminals. And I am surprised that some people are appreciating this act and supporting this asshole. There are better ways to enforce the law.
God save India!
He is not a human, he doesn’t understand humanity. He totally showed from which kind family he really belongs. Inhe kehte hai padhe likhe gawaar…bc
If have power you can do anything what you want mister shailesh kumar yadav just be like human if have power show the power how the marriage can be done with proper regulations. They didn’t came to street and dance. You are telling to arrest arrest him her like that like a dog barking. You are asking them you are uneducated or educated they all are well educated only with them itself you are showing your powers like this then how you will treat uneducated people first learn the respect then serve the country.
Mr.DM, If you behave like this with educated and cultured persons specially ladies, what could be expected if you with others. You could have warned the gathering there initially on Mike to conclude this as this is violation of recent Government orders and given 5-10 mins time. If then, they would not have obeyed, then only force can be applied. It seems your purpose was humiliating them more rather than following government guidelines.
I’m a resident of tripura this DM is doing the right thing, im grateful for what hes done, many lives will be saved by his action, those violating the curfew rules are to demonized and they should be punished severely for putting many lives in danger, instead of slating the the DM.. I don’t buy this media demonizing him at all..what a stupid mindset to even think about.. I felt sick
I am in support of DM , in this pandemic who told them to arrange huge gathering. People are not afraid of their own life’s , and blaming DM for his behaviour is wrong.
This is what thePrint reports: “I apologise if any individual or group is pained by last night’s action,” Yadav told reporters in Tripura. “But what was done last night was only for the benefit and well being of people. My aim was not to pain or humiliate anyone.”
Please also report that the people of India will breathe easy if Mr. Yadav is REMOVED from service.
He violated permissions given by his own office. He misbehaved. He was callous towards people. He did the unthinkable.
Do not ‘suspend’ Yadav. Remove him.
This Cattle grazer become IAS? Behaving like animals with human being must be terminated from the services must be arrested for the demolishing of respect & dignity of the people. I pray to the god if he is there he should not be alive, This pretty world doesn’t needed such rakshas.
Cattle grazer! Pray tell, whats the logic of branding him as such? Is it his last name by any chance?
Not only his services should be terminated but also the whole expenses should be recovered from him so that the victims may arrange the marriage again. Such type of govt officials damage the image of the govt, administration and the entire nation and themselves are indulge in corruption.
Those people who are supporting DM for his arrogant behaviour in the light of Corona crisis should put themselves in the place of victims family and if they could bear such humiliation and assualt to their self respect then they are right in supporting DM for his misbehaviour but we all know that no one would want such things happen to them and their loved and dear ones. So they are totally wrong in supporting DM. Administration was at fault because they granted permission and as per family members are concerned we all know despite restrictions every wedding and such ceremonies go beyond permitted time. Things could had been managed in a decent way. As far as DM is concerned he is mentally sick and a frustrated person unworthy of holding such a coveted post meant for serving people not ruling them. Strict action must be taken against him with immediate suspension.
Dm shahan ko delhi border par bej do sari akad nikal jayege
This power amused babu whose sole aim is to terrorise ordinary people rather than performing duty must be removed from such an important post for the benefit of the people.
I support the District magistrate on his strict action. He has done his duty genuinely which no other government officials might not have taken till now. We all should understand the seriousness of the current Covid situation and avoid such public gatherings or don’t conduct such gatherings. People will obviously comment against him because this is India. Tomorrow if I shoot a corrupt politician, I will be behind bars. Or if I shoot a terrorist also I will be behind bars because of the human rights commission in India. There were many Indian activities supporting Ajmal Kasab and were against his death sentence.
Completely agree with you. If situation worsens, same officer will be held responsible. People think they have become wise because of social media but they are the way around.
How? Its a fault of area police stations which permitted for the ceromany so strict action should be taken against him not againt the family u dont understand how a father sacrificed for theirs dauhter marriage its a completely wrong
DM should be suspended..so sad..They all are common people not terrorist…simply misrule the power…
The magistrate himself had given the permission with passes.
These power amused babus whose sole aim is to terrorise ordinary people rather than performing must be removed from such important posts for the benefit of the people. What good for the public he was doing by harassing the groom, the elderly and women folk as claimed by him is a mystery.
I felt very sorry for this family…definitely this IAS should be dismissed he tried to become a hero…But this is India ??so I knew no action will be taken…
Indians are “laato ke bhoot” during such a critical time ass holes are still marrying in mass gatherings. DM did nothing wrong, he in fact should get awarded for he did. All the people should have been arrested. Idiots
Are you a born fool or pretend to be one? Read the whole situation and understand the context in which things arr presented. What suprises me is that the nation is full of such radical idiots who have no idea as to what the incident was but just shall unnecessary blabber stuff. Read the full story and read the part where the brother has mentioned. The brother of the bride has produced copies of special permission signed by the same DM himself. If at all he is such a hero why did he sign at such place. The DM himself gave permission and only on that permission they conducted the wedding with all protocols and that is the sole reason why the police has not intervened. Go and check the detailed analysis of the story or if you are so swayed by fanboism why to even read a newstory at the first place. Your DM sahab did nothing apart from a show just to humiliate others and made himself a fool , precisely the reason why he asked for apology. He realised that later.
magistrate should be suspended and the poor family which had sought permission be compensated. politicians can do rallies but common man cant even do something they got permission for is it ?
Oh great …
Than whom we guys expect to force law and order .For every thing bureaucrats and govt is responsible and we the citizen of india have tight yo challenge the law..why not the entire family had shifted their slogan muharat fir next suitable date…
The way if conduct may be little harsh as per civil conduct, but action was totally correct and even a exemplary for so called uncivilized civilian..
As DM he was just doing his job and alike other DM not sitting in office and taking bribes for unlawful allows..
Regards
According to sec 144 of Crpc act no woman can be arrested after sunset…how come the arrogant unruly uncivilized DM arrest the woman.. how dare he can physically assault people…he should be suspended immediately…
I am sure if this particular DM was there in West Bengal, he would not have the guts to check “mask-less” people thronging to the rally of a big politician. There he would be happy with his tail between his legs. He deserved to be tackled with full force of the law.
He was behaving as he had seen police heroes in films do.
Also, there were apparently 700-800 guests at the venue and definitely no distancing when gulping down food.
the same permission given by him only. And who told you there were 700 to 800 guests, only 100 guests were present there.
People are dying due to COVID what ever he did should be done to other who are not following the law and order . Don’t show favoritism to any one . When people are running around for oxygen how come these people don’t take things seriously.
I salute you sir
Only solution to this is FIRE him from his JOb. I have seen similar behaviors by IPS officers as they assult people all the time.
If a gov official is trying to do something for Us Indians, then people say he is harrasing us, he doesnt have manners he should be suspended or demoted but on the other hand if no one does anything then government isnt doing anything, they arent supporting us they are lazy people.
I dont underetand what do people want??
Maybe his way of speaking and doing things might have hurt sentiments but demoting suspending for doing something isnt a right action.
I also agree there might be two sides of the story but we all are educated and in India cases are rising, people are losing their near amd dear ones dont we all have responsibilities and we act like a matured citizen.
Rest all is upto the gov and people. God bless us all.
Officer on duty doesn’t mean they can take law in their hands also DM has no power to use physical power i.e assault or slap is people are acting upon normally. after imposing of 144 mere you can not suppress the Constitutional Rights
Officer on duty doesn’t mean they can take law in their hands also DM has no power to use physical power i.e assault or slap is people are acting upon normally. after imposing of 144 mere you can not suppress the Constitutional Rights.. In the Kashmir Internet Ban Case hon’ble SC said – Section 144 not for suppressing people’s right
U will never find him working after 6 pm, many pending cases in his court and still he went out in covid at 10 pm for gundagardi.
Paise ni pahunche honge time se….isliye inti khundak mein tha..
He was talking about education while assulting the guests and the other people around.But he himself was behaving like an illiterate goon misusing his official power with extreme rude and violent attitude. Unfortunaly, this kind of peple are holding powerful positions in bureaucracy and making mockery of the system. If he is not suspended, peole will loose faith in bureaucratic system and law of the land.
Under Indian Law, an IAS officer is not authorized to assault even hardened criminals not to speak of citizens. This so called DM says he is defending the Law but he does he not know that he himself is breaking the law by assaulting Citizens specially women and ladies. If he is that stupid then he has no right to call himself an IAS officer and should be demoted forthwith. And if he is doing this knowing all these then he is abusing the law and his power and under such circumstance also he is not fit to be an IAS officer and should be demoted/dismissed outright.
“But what was done last night was only for the benefit and well being of people. My aim was not to pain or humiliate anyone.”
The DM could have been courteous but he was humiliating everyone. If anyone has watched the video he is shouting “arrest him” “arrest him” like he is some god or something. If this was in delhi/ncr, he would have been given a good lesson on the spot on courtesy.
How come people who blatantly break Curfew, still continue with large gatherings can’t be booked & punished ? If you don’t like this DM’s methods, you should also condemn all Police officials who give same treatment to common people on the road for breaking a Covid directive. Shameful double standards.. Why Rich, famous & powerful can’t be punished in our country ?
You are right.
He must be permanently suspended from the designation and sent to Lunatic Asylum for some years. Totally Unfit for this Service.
This dm must be dismissed and should be convicted in court.
Should have arrested if they broke the law, Indian constitution doesn’t provide right to assault people. This guy should be suspended.
Suspended is a small thing. He should be fired and beaten like he did to others. That’s abuse of power and mentally sick person. I saw the video and i feel like calling this guy and challenge him to do this in US. He will never get another job and will be behind bars for the rest of his life. Shame on him.
Remove this of person and put him behind bar with very immediate effect.
Unfortunately people in power in this country, suddenly forget that they were too common folks before getting the throne of the power.Dm sahab must have got very bad family values that he showed in front of the camera, he may have cracked the UPSC but failed as a public servant who is supposed to make people’s life easier than making it hell. There are laws to deal with any provision of violation by citizens and they should have used those. After all, our country still lives with feudal state machinery because we have officers like Dm of TRIPURA.
This is what happens when u give someone unbridled powers. The IAS is a relic of the British Raj. Should go.
Read this https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/the-belief-system-and-some-truths/article24300569.ece
Are you kidding me ? He did the right thing? those people deserved this. Shitty people like you don’t deserve a good poliece man.
A question.
Are IAS authorised by the government to assault people while on duty?
What next? The cabinet secretary dragging people by the collar?
This rogue magistrate should be suspended forthwith. Mere apology wouldn’t do to assuage the hurt. If possible he should be demoted.