SI recruitment scam-probe: CID raids city houses of two Assam Police officials

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The CID (Criminal Investigation Department) conducted separate raids at the houses of two Police officials in the city on Wednesday.

While one of the raids was carried out at the residence of former Karimganj SP (Superintendent of Police) Kumar Sanjit Krishna at Kacharibasti in Ulubari, the other raid was carried out at the house of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP-Border) Prasanta Kumar Dutta at Mathura Nagar near Down Town. However, both of them were not present during the raids. Sources further said that both the Police officials are yet to be traced.

These search operations are part of the investigations connected with the recent question paper-leak scam over the recruitment of 597 SIs (Sub Inspectors-Unarmed).

On Wednesday evening, CID seized Rs 24,88,300 that was kept in a bag, in the presence of Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses, from the rented house of Jaydip Borooah — an employee of ex-DIG of Assam Police and mastermind of the scam, Prasanta Kumar Dutta. The house is located along Nabagiri Path at Chandmari in Guwahati. Jaydip was earlier arrested from Tinsukia. The entire process of search & seizure was videographed. The recovered money was collected by the arrested mustermined former DIG PK Dutta from candidates; and he had handed over the bag containing the cash to Jaydip Borooah with instruction to conceal it.

Earlier during the day, the Court remanded Jaydip to five-day police custody. The raid was carried out based on Jaydip's confession and as led by him, informed sources.

Meanwhile at Karimganj, the CID recorded the statements of five Police personnel in front of the Magistrate.

On the other hand, sources informed that Akshay Chand Baid alias Akhiya Chand — the owner of the scam-tainted Bongaigaon-based Akshay Tele Communication (ATC) — suffered injuries in the bathroom of a city hospital at Athgaon here on Wednesday. He had got himself admitted at that hospital earlier on Monday for some treatment of his legs and also for COVID-19 testing.

In an interesting development, Akshay Chand Baid told the media on Wednesday that since he was unwell, he was unaware as to when the SI examination was held. He also claimed that the 'Power of Attorney' of the firm was handed over to Rubul Hazarika and his companions.

The CID has written to the hospital authorities to inform the investigating agency before Baid is allowed to go home from the hospital.

The ATC along with a few other firms were given the responsibility to conduct the recruitment examination. Rubul is presently in CID custody. Sources stated that Rubul Hazarika — a shareholder of ATC — visited Karimganj on September 18, and also claimed that Rubul took photographs of the question papers and also forwarded them to various persons.