Guwahati: Assam’s first transgender advocate, Swati Bidhan Baruah, was incarcerated on March 3, accused of allegedly influencing a young man, Mansoor Alam, to take a drastic step, as confirmed by a senior advocate to IndiaTodayNE.
The arrest of Baruah unfolded on March 1, 2024, leading to an upheaval as her workplace faced vandalism by a crowd following her detention.
The incident originated when Swati lodged a rape complaint against Mansoor, a 20-year-old resident of Pandu employed in her office. Although Mansoor had been previously granted bail, the situation took a complex turn when his family claimed that Swati was pressuring him into marriage.
Facing financial constraints that prevented him from securing a ₹2 lakh lawyer for Mansoor’s legal defense, the young man found himself entangled in societal stigma and familial obligations. Tragically, Mansoor succumbed to the pressure and took his own life.
Reports suggest that Mansoor’s mother filed a complaint attributing her son’s demise to Swati, claiming he was coerced into marriage. A police officer from the Jalukbari police station mentioned, “Swati Bidhan Baruah has been arrested and forwarded to court as per the complaint filed by Mansoor’s mother, who alleges that her son’s death is linked to Swati. The victim’s family contends that Mansoor was under pressure to marry.”
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At the time of the report, Baruah had been sent to court. Swati Bidhan Baruah, known for her significant contributions to the legal system, had previously made history as a Lok Adalat judge and played an active role in advocating for human rights. She dedicated efforts to establish a group supporting the rights of transgender individuals, aiming for a more inclusive and accepting society.
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