Oct. 22: When “cruelty” for dowry is the allegation, a six-month imprisonment is simply not enough. And if the accused is an executive magistrate of a district, the punishment should be nothing less than suspension from services — at least that’s what Rumi Deb thinks.

Wife of executive magistrate Dhrubajyoti Deb, Rumi accused him of torturing her physically and mentally for dowry within months of their wedding in January 2000.

After four months, Rumi came back to her father’s home, promising never to return. In February 2001, Deb and his brother called on Rumi outside Nehru High School in Singeri, where she teaches — and tried to pressure her into returning to their house. They left when all their threats and coaxing failed to move her. Rumi then rang up her father, who promptly came with the police. Deb, however, had left by then.The next day, Rumi filed an FIR with Silchar police, but they told the court of chief judicial magistrate that they had not found any evidence of torture against Deb.

The chief judicial magistrate, however, refused to accept the police report and decided to continue the case under Section 498(A).

Deb took the case right up to the Supreme Court in 2004, but it was returned to the chief judicial magistrate’s court for review on April 16, 2004.

Rumi, however, feared that Deb could pressure or influence the case, using his clout as executive magistrate.

In 2006, she wrote to the Prime Minister describing the entire episode and appealed to him to ensure that Deb was dismissed from service.

The Prime Minister’s Office wrote to the chief secretary’s office in Dispur. Deb was transferred from Cachar to Karimganj district last year. After a prolonged legal battle, the court finally sentenced Deb to imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5,000.

“The informant was subjected to “cruelty” under Section 498 (A) IPC by her husband in his house. Accordingly, the accused is held guilty and has been convicted U/s 498 (A) IPC,” the judgment read. Rumi, however, is already consulting lawyers in Silchar to file a case seeking his suspension.