The BJP on Monday said that it has suspended a woman leader of the party for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Assam’s Tinsukia district and maligning the image of the party.

The saffron party in a statement said state committee executive member Dipanjali Kakoty has been suspended from the party by state unit chief Ranjeet Kr Dass.

The statement further said a case has been registered against Kakoty for obstructing a police officer from doing his duty and demonstrating abusive behavior, which has maligned the image of the party.

Kakoty has hence been suspended from the party with immediate effect, it said.

The Assam BJP executive member allegedly assaulted Kakopathar police station sub-inspector Apurba Das and forcibly freeing her driver Srikant Phukan who had been called to the police station for questioning in connection with an assault case filed by a woman.

In the FIR against Kakoty on November 8, Das had alleged that the BJP leader had “flaunted her proximity” to chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, threatened to get the officer sacked and “assaulted” him.

Kakoty is on the ‘run’. The police had registered a case against Kakoty for abusive behaviour, physical assault and obstructing a public servant from carrying out his duty.