Pratibimba Live Controversy: Himanta Biswa Sarma breaks silence, alleges 'political conspiracy'

GUWAHATI: Assam's Health, Finance, and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, breaking his silence about a picture showing him with his daughter that has been misrepresented by news portal 'Pratibimba Live', claimed it is a "political conspiracy" hatched by rivals hell-bent on bringing him down.

 

Asked about the controversy on the sidelines of an event here today, Sarma said, "In Guwahati, investigations are on and the city police are trying to get to the bottom of it. It is rather unfortunate that people are falling to such lows for a political conspiracy. Because my detractors have been unable to bring me down with their other allegations, they are now trying to frame me with women. And now, they have dragged my daughter into this. Because of this, I could not sleep a wink last night."

 

"My wife had registered a case after the picture was made viral. A channel called 'Pratibimba Live' seems to be behind it. Since my daughter is a minor, a case has been registered under the POSCO Act," he further informed.

 

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After a complaint was registered at the Dispur police station, Editor in Chief of Pratibimba Live Taufiquddin Ahmad and News Editor Iqbal have been arrested to investigate the 'conspiracy' behind airing news of an Assam minister maligning the father-daughter relationship, Assam police officials informed.

 

A case was registered against the Editor-in-chief and news editor- Case No 612/2021 under Section 509 IPC r/w sec 14/21 POCSO Act.

 

Additional DGP (Law & Order) GP Singh in a tweet said that strict action would be taken against those who tried to malign the familial bond.

 

“As a man in public life and father of two daughters, I take strong exception to people maligning father-daughter bond. Society needs to wake up to such basal thought process amongst a section of people, perhaps for material gain,” Singh wrote in a tweet.

 

In another tweet, the ADGP said, “As a father, I am deeply saddened. As a Cop, I promise resolute action against perpetrators and conspirators.”