A serious allegation of physical assault and caste-based abuse has emerged from the Dhamdaha Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) office in Purnia district, casting a shadow over the local administration. The incident, which reportedly occurred on December 18, involves a lower-grade clerk and a senior officer in a dispute over official files.
The Clerk's Allegations of Violence and Abuse
According to the complaint, the clerk, Ajay Kumar, was engaged in a heated argument with SDO Anupam Kumar concerning pending disaster-related documents. The situation allegedly escalated rapidly. Ajay Kumar claims that the SDO not only assaulted him physically but also hurled casteist slurs at him. In his account, he was struck on the head during the altercation.
Furthermore, Ajay Kumar has stated that he was pressured to resign from his post immediately following the confrontation. Distressed by the events, he took formal steps to seek justice by filing complaints at multiple levels.
Formal Complaints and Official Denial
The aggrieved clerk approached the SC/ST police station to register a case against the SDO. He also raised the matter with senior officials in the administration, seeking their intervention. The complaints set in motion a procedural inquiry into the conduct of a government officer.
However, SDO Anupam Kumar has firmly denied all accusations. In his defense, he stated that he merely reprimanded Ajay Kumar for delays in official work related to disaster management. He dismissed the charges of assault and using casteist language as baseless and without merit.
Police Await Guidance for Next Steps
The local police have acknowledged the receipt of the complaint but have indicated that any further legal action is contingent on instructions from higher-ranking officers. This pause suggests the case is being treated with caution due to the seniority of the accused official and the sensitivity of the allegations involving caste-based abuse.
The case highlights tensions within government offices and brings to the fore issues of workplace hierarchy and accountability. The outcome of the internal and potential police investigation will be closely watched, as it touches upon both administrative discipline and social justice under laws meant to protect marginalized communities.
