Assam govt employee pocketed Rs. 1.5 cr from SI exam candidates, say reports

Guwahati: The investigation into the cash-for-jobs scam for recruitment in the Assam Police Sub-Inspector (Unarmed Branch) has taken several new twists and turns. The investigation has now revealed that an Assam Government employee pocketed Rs. 1.5 crore from candidates with the promise to give them jobs, reports said.

Kumud Goswami of the agriculture department was reportedly a part of the nexus in this scam and was assisted by another accused -- Kuldip Rajbongshi. Both Goswami and Rajbongshi have been arrested. Goswami was allegedly involved in the Panchayat and Rural Development Department (PNRD) recruitment scam.

Goswami, who is suspected to be one of the masterminds of the racket, is being questioned by the Crime Branch and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials in Guwahati. Anup Haloi, a relative of Kumud Goswami reportedly helped Goswami in collecting money from the candidates. Haloi is an employee of PNRD. They reportedly took Rs. 5 lakh from each candidate.

Meanwhile, the Assam Police have arrested four candidates from Nalbari who appeared in an illegal "exam" at the 'Thank You' lodge in Guwahati's Ganeshguri area.

Another candidate -- Kunajl Das from Chaygaon in Kamrup -- has also been nabbed for his alleged involvement in recruitment. So far, 15 people have been arrested in connection with the case.

However, the prime accused, retired DIG PK Dutta and BJP leader Diban Deka, still remain at large. Assam Police has announced Rs. 1 lakh reward for information on the absconding duo.

Assam's Director General of Police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, who has been specially assigned by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to bring the culprits to book, said that a reward has been announced for any information about the duo, and urged for the people's help in locating the suspects.

Meanwhile, the additional director general of police (ADGP) for law and order GP Singh has promised that adequate security would be provided to the persons who come forward to reveal their whereabouts.

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