Insurance Scam: Gauhati High Court Directs State DGP To Form Special Cell

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: With the investigation into the multi-crore-rupee life insurance scam slowing down, the Gauhati High Court has directed the State DGP to form a special cell within two weeks with an ADGP-level officer to monitor the investigation. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ajay Lamba and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua, has also said that all cases registered in context of insurance claims would be reported to the officer (ADGP) to take into account the overall picture in the State and ensure that the needful, as required by the Code of Criminal Procedure, is done.

The scam first came to light in Barpeta district last year. The Asomiya Yuba Mancha (AYM) filed a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) in the High Court. The High Court did ask the police to speed up the investigation. However, the investigation kept slowing down, leading the High Court to issue a fresh directive on Wednesday last asking the police to form the cell.

According to the PIL, it has been brought out that certain gangs operating in the State with an organized network collect data about persons who might have died one or two months back. They convince the families of the deceased that they are aware of certain schemes floated by the government under which the families of deceased get monetary support. With such alluring tactics the frauds get PAN Cards, Voter IDs etc of dead persons and open bank accounts of deceased persons in connivance with bank officials. Such gangs then open insurance policies in the names of dead persons in different insurance companies. It has also been found that even post masters have been involved in the network for easy collection of insurance policies and cheques. In pursuance of the criminal intention, the gangs make claims of insurance after two or three months on the basis of ‘manufactured documents’ obtained in connivance with doctors.

A number of insurance agents, hospital staff and police personnel were arrested in Barpeta district in connection with the scam that has already spread its tentacles in Nagaon, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Nalbari and Kamrup, besides Barpeta.

The bench has also ordered that (i) the SPs concerned would ensure inquiries within seven days in case the petitioner or any other person brings to their notice actionable evidences/materials and (ii) if the cognizable offences are confirmed the SPs concerned shall ensure FIRs registered under Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and investigations are undertaken under chapter XII of the said code.

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