SI recruitment -scam probe: CID zeroes in on Assam Police high officials

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The CID (Criminal Investigation Department) is closely investigating the roles of several high officials of the Assam Police in its probe into the recent scam connected with the recruitment of 597 SIs (Sub Inspectors -Unarmed).

In this regard, arrested mastermind former-DIG (Deputy Inspector General) of Assam Police, Prasanta Kumar Dutta has revealed the name of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP-Border) Prasanta Kumar Dutta, who is presently posted in Karimganj, as a prime link in the case. Informing that the CID has already issued summons to ASP Dutta, sources added that the official is presently on medical leave.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the CJM Court here sent ex-DIG PK Dutta to judicial custody.

In another development during the day, the CID seized two mobile phones of former Karimganj SP (Superintendent of Police) Kumar Sanjit Krishna and also grilled his two PSOs (Personal Security Officers) — Chintu Hazarika and Montu Das, informed sources.

Both the PSOs were with Kumar Sanjit Krishna since he was the SP in Bongaigaon earlier. Mentionably, he was transferred as SP of FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Officer), Barpeta just a few days back. He was also grilled by the ADGP (Additional Director General of Police), Law & Order, GP Singh on Monday.

Meanwhile, the CID carried out raids at the Karimganj SP's office as well as the quarter there on Tuesday. During these raids, the CID sleuths took along with them Rubul Hazarika, a shareholder of the Bongaigaon-based Akshay Tele Communication (ATC), which was given the responsibility to conduct the recruitment examination along with a few other firms.

Following the raids, the CID detained three persons including two constables and a driver. Sources stated that the trio officially brought the question papers meant for the Karimganj district from Guwahati to the Karimganj SP's office on September 18 — two days before the examination was slated.

It has also been learnt that Rubul Hazarika visited Karimganj on September 18. The sources further claimed that Rubul took photographs of the question papers and also forwarded them to various persons.

In an interesting twist on Tuesday, the media traced ATC's owner — Akhiya Chand Baid — to a city hospital at Athgaon here. Sources informed that Baid got himself admitted at that hospital on Monday for some treatment of his legs and also for COVID-19 testing. Now, the CID has written to the hospital authorities to inform the investigating agency before Baid is allowed to go home from the hospital.