As trial nears, police looks for more evidence

CASH-FOR-JOB SHAME

More arrests likely in June, forensic reports of 600 answer sheets awaited

GUWAHATI, May 23: Well aware as it is of the grave implications of any lacuna in its probe into the infamous APSC cash-for-job scam, Dibrugarh Police is taking utmost care so that the case is taken to its logical conclusion. The case is inching towards trial in the court.

The investigators have been gleaning more evidences, and more arrests are likely in June. According to police sources, the investigators have their eyes peeled over the selection process of more officers in service. So far, the investigators have seized 2,000 answer sheets of 2015 and 2016 ACS and Allied Service examinations, and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) test reports of some 600 of them are still awaited. They have sent all those answer sheets to FSLs in various States.

The investigators have also collected the signatures of 74 invigilators as they have doubt over the signatures on the seized answer sheets. They are also going to collect the signatures of examiners and scrutinizers as well. All signatures will be sent to FSLs even as the invigilators are known to have told the investigators that the signatures of the seized answer sheets are not theirs.

While as many as 39 people have been arrested in connection with the scam, including former APSC chairman Rakesh Paul, an APS officer, Rakesh Paul’s brother and a businessman have been absconding.

Talking to The Sentinel, Dibrugarh ASP Surajit Singh Panesar said: “The APSC scam has left none untouched in the State. We’ll be disgraced for sure for any lacuna on our part in the investigation. We don’t want to leave even a single lapse in the investigation. Since we doubt the genuineness of the signatures on the seized answer sheets, we’ve collected invigilators’ signatures. We’re also going to collect the signatures of examiners and scrutinizers as well, and send them to FSLs.”

So far, as many as four charge sheets – including the main and three additional charge sheets –have been submitted in the Special Court, Assam. Another charge sheet against six more accused is likely to be submitted before the court on Thursday.