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In relation to the controversy regarding alleged statements of the Tripura Chief Minister (CM) Biplab Kumar Deb against the authority of court, Attorney General for India (AG) KK Venugopal has declined to give consent to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Chief Minister.

Allegedly, while speaking at a biennial conference of the Civil Service Officers’ Association on September 25, Tripura CM said that the officers "should work for people without thinking about contempt of court."

His comments became viral on social media, especially after Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee tagged a video clip of Deb’s speech in his tweet.

In a letter written to Advocate Abu Sohel, who had sought AG's permission to initiate contempt proceedings against Deb, the Venugopal noted that extracts submitted by him of Deb's statements were "deplorable" and "wholly uncalled for."

However, acknowledging subsequent events regarding the matter, he pointed out that even the Tripura High Court had declined to take action against Deb after accepting the Chief Minister's statement that he was misquoted by the media.

AG stated that the request for initiating contempt proceedings, made by members of the Bar, was not acceded to by the Tripura High Court when the screenshot of the Chief Minister's statement made on social media was shown before the bench presided over by the Chief Justice Akil Kureshi clarifying that his speech was twisted and wrongly reported.

"The court refused to list the case for contempt, and the matter was closed," AG stated in his letter.

"I am sure you would appreciate that, in view of the fact that the High Court has accepted the statement made by the Chief Minister that he was misquoted and that he has the highest respect for the judiciary, it would not be appropriate for me to grant consent for initiating contempt proceedings. I, therefore, decline consent for the reasons stated", the letter issued by the AG reads.

Amid ensuing controversy that Deb had allegedly asked the officials to not fear contempt of court while working for the people and that he was in charge of the police, Deb issued a statement on social media which read: 

"The reporting of my speech on 25/9/21 is being twisted and wrongly reported to some print and electronic media to project disregard to the judiciary and judicial institutions.

I firmly and unequivocally clarify that I hold all the judicial institutions in highest esteem and also am duty bound to uphold the majesty of the judiciary.

I have not told the officers or even remotely intended to convey any message to disregard courts or disrespect court orders as reported. My words have been published out of context."

Screenshots of this statement only were shown before the High Court after which the High Court had refused to initiate contempt action. 

Thus, both the the High Court of Tripura as well as the Advocate General of the State have declined to initiate contempt action against Deb.