A bureaucrat of Assam has been placed under suspension on Monday after a video, where the bureaucrat was allegedly heard making derogatory remarks on Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi during the latter’s recent State visit, went viral on social media platforms.
According to reports, the step against the civil servant has been taken as per a directive of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
The bureaucrat who has been suspended for showing disrespect toward CJI Gogoi is Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Kamrup (M), Pulak Mahanta.
The ADC was given responsibility of paying guard of honour to Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi – who made history by becoming the first Assamese to be sworn as the CJI – on Gogoi’s arrival at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport, Borjhar here.
Also read: Security lapse during CJI’s visit: Debabrata Saikia seeks probe
Chief Justice Gogoi along with his wife arrived at the LGBI Airport on October 16, 2018 on his first visit to Assam, his home State, after being sworn in as the 46th CJI on October 3, 2018.
The Assam Government in order to welcome the Chief Justice with State honour made arrangement of guard of honour and rolled out red carpet at the LGBI Airport complex.
Though the State Government maintaining protocol welcomed the CJI with State honours, ADC Mahanta, who was in charge of the event, was heard in the video making derogatory remarks on Chief Justice Gogoi.
Interestingly, the video has recorded the image of only one officer.
As per the video, as soon as Chief Justice was seen coming towards the red carpet, the officer was heard saying in Assamese language: “Xeito ahishe bandha kori tha…” (That is coming, let it stop) and “Bojaaa Bojaa” (Beat, beat).
This unexpected behaviour from a senior bureaucrat of the State towards the Chief Justice of India, who has brought laurels to Assam, came to light only when the video of it went viral on the social media platforms.
Later the officer was identified as none other than ADC Pulak Mahanta.
It may be mentioned that Chief Justice Gogoi’s first Assam visit after taking charge has not gone well as he had to remain stuck amidst visitors when he went to Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on October 17, 2018 along with his wife to seek blessings of Maa Kamakhya.
A large number of BJP activities gathered the temple and the administration reportedly became busy to give attention towards the national president of the ruling party as BJP president Amit Shah who also reached the temple at the same time of CJI Gogoi’s visit to the temple.
Meanwhile, Guwahati West Deputy Commissioner of Police Bhanwar Lal Meena was suspended for not ensuring adequate security for Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi.
As per the order, signed by Secretary Home (A) Department, Deepak Majumdar said that there was lapse of adequate security arrangements for the CJI at Kamakhya Temple causing him inconvenience.