Assam Congress leader arrested for allegedly defaming BJP MLA

Assam Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh was arrested on March 15 for posts he made on social media that criticized a BJP MLA, Manab Deka. The posts suggested Deka and other BJP leaders had been involved in serious crimes, including sexual assault. Deka's wife, Raajashree, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, filed a complaint. She claimed Singh's comments were defamatory and humiliating, accusing him of falsely labeling her husband a rapist. Singh has been charged under several laws, including defamation and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. His arrest has caused controversy in Assam, with the Congress party calling it politically motivated. They argue that defamation cases are typically addressed through summons, not arrest. BJP leaders, however, support the police action, emphasizing the seriousness of the complaint from a Dalit woman. The police justified Singh's arrest by stating he could threaten the complainant and her husband due to their different social positions. They claimed that he might tamper with evidence or incite communal violence. A court denied Singh bail and placed him in judicial custody. Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, backed the arrest, criticizing the Congress party's response. He highlighted the implications of making derogatory statements about a Dalit woman. Other Congress leaders expressed their support for Singh and condemned the manner of his arrest, describing it as excessive.