SC notice in Tripura wedding raid case against ex-DM

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Apr 06, 2025

Agartala, Apr 6 (FD) The Supreme Court of India has issued a formal notice to the Tripura State Government and former West Tripura District Magistrate (DM), Shailesh Kumar Yadav, IAS, in connection with a controversial 2021 incident involving a COVID-19 protocol raid on two wedding venues in Agartala.

The April 26, 2021 incident drew widespread attention when then-DM Yadav stormed into marriage functions at a palace compound during night curfew hours, allegedly harassing guests, including women and children. Accusations of manhandling and administrative overreach sparked a public outcry and raised questions about the limits of executive power during health emergencies.

Although the Tripura High Court formed a fact-finding committee led by a retired judge, no significant action followed. Dissatisfied with the outcome, one of the affected families filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, citing denial of fundamental rights and inadequate judicial response.

A bench comprising Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Aravind Kumar has now sought formal responses. Shailesh Yadav, currently in Spain, has submitted his vakalatnama through legal counsel.