Assam: CM Vigilance Cell Summons AAP Leader Bidyut Kalita in Connection With SCERT Scam

GUWAHATI: The Chief Minister's Special Vigilance Cell has summoned an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) politician Bidyut Kalita in Assam in connection with the Rs. 105 crore State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) scam, according to reports that surfaced on Wednesday.

Moreover, sources have revealed that Kalita is evading capture out of concern over being detained in relation to the scheme.

According to a letter that has since surfaced, Kalita asked for a two-day extension after the vigilance cell summoned him, claiming that he was out of town when the summon notification was handed to his home.

Moreover, it should be noted that on Tuesday, the Chief Ministers' Special Vigilance Cell detained four people in connection with the scam, including two journalists and two Right To Information Act (RTI) employees.

The people detained were described as RTI officials Anup Saikia and Rabijit Gogoi, as well as journalists Bhaskarjyoti Hazarika and Pujamoni Das.

In a significant step, suspended IAS officer Sewali Devi Sharma and her contractor son-in-law Ajit Pal Singh, who had been on the run since the discovery of the Rs 105 crore money misappropriation case, were apprehended on May 8 in Rajasthan's Cross Lane hotel.

According to sources, the suspended IAS official and her son-in-law (Ajit Pal Singh), a contractor, embezzled Rs 105 crore without producing any work orders.

Sewali Devi allegedly formed a fake institution to syphon off the money and allegedly spent Rs 13 crore on a smart classroom that failed to meet basic needs.

Moreover, the CM's vigilance squad has also detained two additional people in addition to the couple; as a result, the accused will be presented before a local Rajasthani court. The accused individuals will subsequently be transported to Guwahati on transit remand so that the continuing probe into the multi-million dollar scam can continue.

Sewali Devi opened five bank accounts without the Assam government's permission while serving as Executive Chairman and Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) from 2017 to 2020.

Four more officials have been cornered off as the authorities question numerous other education officers and staff.

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