A police assistant sub-inspector has been arrested in Kolkata after a 21-year-old female civic volunteer filed a complaint alleging inappropriate physical contact outside the Suruchi Sangha Durga Puja pandal, according to a report by Sangbad Pratidin. Police have begun an investigation into the incident, which reportedly took place on Saturday night during the festival period.
The arrested officer has been identified as Kabirul Hasan Molla, 50, who is posted as an assistant sub-inspector with the Third Armed Battalion. The complaint was filed at New Alipore police station, following which the officer was taken into custody, the report said.
The incident allegedly occurred between 11 pm and 11.30 pm outside the Suruchi Sangha puja pandal. The civic volunteer was reportedly on duty at the location when the alleged incident took place. The area was also being used by visitors leaving the pandal, according to the report.
A video connected to the incident circulated on social media and prompted public attention. The report said the footage appeared to show two civic volunteers seated on chairs, with a uniformed officer standing behind them. It described the footage as appearing to show the officer touching one of the women inappropriately. Sangbad Pratidin also stated that it had not independently verified the authenticity of the video.
The arrest followed the written complaint by the civic volunteer rather than being reported as a disciplinary action based solely on the circulated footage. The police investigation will establish the circumstances of the alleged conduct, the sequence of events and the evidence available from the location and the people present there.
The case also involves the working relationship between a uniformed police officer and a civic volunteer deployed for public duties. Civic volunteers are frequently assigned to support policing and crowd management during large public events, including Durga Puja, when pandals attract substantial visitor movement. The allegation has therefore raised questions about the safety and accountability mechanisms available to personnel working under police supervision.
The reported incident took place in a public, crowded setting where visitors were moving out of the pandal. Any further action will depend on the police investigation and the legal process. The officer remains an accused person at this stage, and the allegation has not been established by a court.
Police have begun investigating the complaint. The next steps will include examining the available evidence and recording statements connected with the alleged incident.
