Guwahati, 3rd March: Swati Bidhan Baruah, Assam’s first transgender advocate, found herself embroiled in controversy as she was sent to Central Jail on March 3 for allegedly pressuring a young man named Mansoor Alam to take an extreme decision, as per reports emerged today.
Baruah’s arrest on March 1, 2024, sparked chaos as a crowd allegedly vandalized her workplace in protest, escalating the situation.
The chain of events began when Baruah accused Mansoor, a 20-year-old resident of Pandu who worked in her office, of rape. Mansoor was subsequently placed under custody, but had secured bail prior to these developments.
Complicating matters, Mansoor’s family claimed that Baruah was pressuring him into marriage, adding another layer of tension. With Mansoor unable to afford legal representation, he faced societal stigma and family pressures, leading to his tragic decision to take his own life.
A police officer from the Jalukbari police station confirmed, “Mansoor’s mother filed a complaint attributing her son’s death to Swati. The victim’s family asserts that Mansoor was facing pressure to marry. Swati Bidhan Baruah has been arrested and forwarded to court.”
Despite the controversy, Baruah has made significant contributions to the legal system, becoming a Lok Adalat judge and actively advocating for human rights. She has also been instrumental in establishing support groups for transgender rights, striving for a more inclusive society.
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