Assam: ED Raids Residences Of Ex-Kamakhya Board Officials Over Links To Rs. 7 Crore Money Laundering Case

GUWAHATI: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office, has carried out a series of search operations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an alleged case of misappropriation of funds involving the Kamakhya Debutter Board, the governing body responsible for the administration of Maa Kamakhya Temple in Kamrup (Guwahati).

The search, conducted on 22nd January 2025, is part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities within the Debutter Board that allegedly occurred between 2003 and 2019.

The ED's investigation was triggered by a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Kamrup CID police, which accuses officials of the Kamakhya Debutter Board of misappropriating approximately Rs. 7.62 crore. These officials are accused of transferring funds to related entities, which were then routed to personal accounts owned by the board’s officials for their personal gain.

According to the investigation, the officials siphoned off funds meant for the temple by creating fraudulent transactions for goods and services, such as electrical items, cement, cleaning chemicals, manpower, and other necessary supplies.

These goods and services were provided by related or shell entities, and the payments were directed to entities owned by the officials or withdrawn in cash. To avoid scrutiny, the accused officials allegedly split bills into smaller amounts under Rs. 50,000, circumventing a court order that required the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup’s approval for larger expenses.

The ED's search operations took place at the residential premises of Riju Prasad Sarma, the then Administrator of the Kamakhya Debutter Board, along with the homes of the now-deceased ex-officials Dhiraj Sarma and Naba Kanta Sarma. During the search, the ED seized insurance policies valued at approximately Rs. 1.82 crore, taken out in the name of the Debutter Board officials and their family members.

In addition, documents related to immovable properties and business entities owned by the officials and their families were confiscated. The investigation also uncovered over 27 bank accounts linked to various individuals associated with the accused.

The ED has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected as authorities continue to probe the generation of proceeds of crime linked to the misappropriation of funds from the Kamakhya Debutter Board.

ALSO READ: Nagaland Court Declares Rs. 2,200 Crore Crypto Scam Kingpin Fugitive

ALSO WATCH: