The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice to the Assam government and former Jorhat Superintendent of Police Mohan Lal Meena in connection with an appeal challenging the Gauhati High Court’s refusal to order a CBI probe into an alleged custodial torture case from 2023.
The appeal was filed by Rimly Gogoi, who alleged that her brother, Dipankar Gogoi, was detained by personnel of Titabar police station on December 22, 2023, in connection with a bomb blast that took place on December 14 at Lichubari in Jorhat. He was released during the night of December 22–23.
In her petition, she claimed that Dipankar was picked up without any valid reason. She further alleged that Mohan Lal Meena, then SP of Jorhat and named as the main accused, threatened him with a service pistol and forced him to confess to the blast.
According to her, Dipankar was brutally tortured when he denied involvement. She also alleged that he was repeatedly picked up on December 23, 24, and 25 and subjected to further torture.
On December 26, Dipankar’s body was found hanging from a tree behind his house. The family alleged that he died by suicide due to mental pressure caused by police torture.
Following a protest petition, a lower court ordered a re-investigation by a senior police officer. However, expressing dissatisfaction with the progress, the family approached the Gauhati High Court in 2025 seeking a CBI probe.
The High Court declined the request, stating that there was no sufficient evidence to prove that the investigation was flawed or intended to shield police personnel.
Challenging this order, the petitioner moved the Supreme Court, which has now issued notices to the Assam government and the former SP.
