Guwahati: Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh arrested by Lakhimpur police

Guwahati: Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh was arrested from Guwahati by Lakhimpur police in connection with a case filed at the Lakhimpur police station.

There is an allegation that Singh made derogatory remarks on social media against Lakhimpur MLA Manab Deka and his family. This has led to a bitter war of words between the opposition Congress and ruling BJP.
Congress leaders are accusing the BJP-led Assam government of misusing the police force for political gains.

Senior Congress leader and MP Gaurav Gogoi condemned the arrest, calling it an example of the BJP government’s autocratic rule and suppression of opposition voices.

Gogoi criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging that the police were being used as a political tool. "A team of Lakhimpur police arrived in Guwahati to take custody of Congress spokesperson Reetam Singh. When I reached his residence, I saw how he was brutally dragged away and not allowed to speak to me. The police denied me the right to talk to him despite repeated requests," Gogoi said.

He further said,"Is Amit Shah aware of the blatant misuse of police force under Himanta Biswa Sarma? Just a few days ago, BJP workers brutally assaulted two Assam police constables in broad daylight, yet no action was taken. Why were those culprits not arrested? But when a Congress leader tweets something, the police act swiftly to arrest him as if he were a dreaded criminal," he added.

Gogoi said. "The Assam police are being forced to act against political opponents, tarnishing their track record and putting them at risk of legal consequences. The Supreme Court has repeatedly directed the police to act within the legal framework, yet the Chief Minister continues to use them for political vendetta. The BJP is sending a dangerous message to the Assam police—stay silent when your colleagues are attacked, but act aggressively against political opponents,".

On Saturday Union Home minister Amit Shah participated in a programme in Assam.

Singh in a social media post allegedly made remarks against Lakhimpur MLA Manab Deka and his family. Singh's post was critical of the MLA’s political conduct and personal matters, which led to a complaint being filed at the Lakhimpur police station. The post reportedly sparked outrage among BJP supporters, who accused Singh of spreading misinformation and making defamatory comments.

The case (No. 91/2025) was lodged under Section 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and multiple sections of the IT Act. Singh had questioned why BJP leaders accused of sexual assault—including Manab Deka, former state BJP president Bhabesh Kalita, and ex-Union minister Rajen Gohain—had not faced legal consequences. His post on X stated: “These culprits got the punishment they deserved. But what about @BJP4Assam r@pe accused Ministers and MLAs like Manab Deka, Ex Party President Bhabesh Kalita, ex-Minister Rajen Gohain?”

Deka’s wife subsequently filed an FIR, demanding that Singh prove her husband was a rapist.

In April 2024, just before the Lok Sabha elections, he was arrested for allegedly circulating a doctored video of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sharing abusive content on social media.