'Mastermind may surrender'
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: PK Dutta will be arrested soon, irrespective of whether he is in Nepal or somewhere else, declared Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) — Law & Order, GP Singh here on Saturday. Former DIG (Deputy Inspector General) of Assam Police, PK Dutta is reported to be one of the masterminds behind the recent question paper-leak scam to recruit 597 Sub Inspectors (Unarmed) of the State Police. Meanwhile, police source hinted that Dutta may surrender soon. The police suspect that he is at Pokhara in Nepal. Already, a Police team has headed for the neighbouring country. The source revealed that Dutta also recently contacted a former high official of the department.
On the various stages of investigations into the scam, ADGP (L&O) Singh further said, "The CID (Criminal Investigation Department) and the Crime Branch of Assam Police have made significant progresses."
Singh added, "Since prime accused Diban Deka faced threats to his life, he has been presently kept in the high security lockup of the Special Branch. His interrogation is on. All people involved in this case will be nabbed."
Acting on a tipoff, Deka was arrested at Patacharkuchi in Barpeta district on September 30.
Till date, the Nalbari Police has also arrested 11 accused persons. Further, they are conducting raids and carrying out search operations in Nalbari, Barpeta, and Guwahati among other places.
The CID has also arrested 10 persons in this case so far. On Saturday also, the CID arrested a candidate identified as Abhijit Boro from Ghoramara Chariali in Guwahati. He reportedly checked into Hotel Bhargav Grand on September 19, and checked out on September 20. Investigators have found that copies of hand-written question papers along with answers were given to the 63 candidates at that hotel on September 19.
CID source further informed that Boro was arrested earlier also by the Changchari police in another case (325/2020 u/s 302/407 IPC). He was then charged with the hijacking of a 'supari' (dried betel nut)-loaded truck and the subsequent murder of that vehicle's driver and handyman.
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