In a significant development in Patna, Janshakti Janata Dal (JJD) leader and former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav took formal legal action on Thursday by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against a retired senior police officer. The complaint targets retired IPS officer Amitabh Kumar Das, a former Additional Director General of Police (DGP), and was registered at the Secretariat police station in the state capital.
Allegations of Defamation and Personal Attacks
Tej Pratap Yadav, a prominent political figure and son of RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, publicly accused the retired officer of conducting a sustained campaign to tarnish his reputation. In a detailed post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Yadav alleged that Das has been repeatedly using his YouTube channel to broadcast false, baseless, and highly offensive content concerning Yadav's personal life and family matters.
"It is deeply saddening and unforgivable that a former senior IPS officer is making 'absurd' and 'fabricated' statements about my personal and internal family issues," Yadav wrote in his post. He expressed strong condemnation, stating that such conduct is completely unacceptable for a retired high-ranking officer of the Indian Police Service. The central claim in the FIR is that Das acted with a deliberate intent to defame the JJD leader.
Reference to Past Controversies and Demand for Action
Escalating his criticism, Tej Pratap Yadav did not limit his complaint to the current allegations. He also brought up past controversies associated with Amitabh Kumar Das, specifically mentioning the infamous Shabnam case. By referencing this older incident, Yadav aimed to question the former officer's conduct and credibility further.
The political leader has demanded that the police take strict legal action against the retired IPS officer based on the accusations laid out in the FIR. The move underscores the increasing use of legal recourse by public figures against content they deem defamatory on digital platforms like YouTube.
Potential Legal and Political Repercussions
The filing of this FIR is likely to set in motion a formal police investigation into the allegations made by Tej Pratap Yadav. The case brings to the forefront the ongoing tensions between political personalities and critics who use online platforms for commentary. It also raises questions about the boundaries of free speech and defamation, especially when involving retired officials commenting on active politicians.
As the news spreads, it is expected to generate significant discussion in Bihar's political circles. The outcome of this legal step will be closely watched, as it could influence how similar disputes between public figures and their detractors are handled in the future. The Patna police are now tasked with examining the evidence and proceeding according to the law.
