FIR lodged, Congress launches counter-offensive

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 23: A day after the BJP released a document ming former GDD minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the key suspect in the Louis Berger bribery scam, the Congress today went all-out to dismiss the corruption charges against the State government.

On a day when a group of citizens lodged an FIR at Dispur police station seeking an inquiry into the kickback scandal over the Guwahati water supply project, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and APCC president Anjan Dutta hit back at the BJP, alleging that its leaders were engaging in false propaganda to mislead the people of the State.

“The charges by the BJP are baseless and misleading. We have already ordered a probe by the Additiol Chief Secretary. If we find any prima facie evidence, we will recommend a CBI probe,” Chief Minister Gogoi said.

Describing the statements by Sonowal as “politically motivated”, Gogoi questioned as to why the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh was reluctant to recommend a CBI probe into the Vyapam scam till the Supreme Court intervened.

APCC president Anjan Dutta dismissed allegations that Himanta Biswa Sarma was involved in the scam. “It has become a habit of some people to put the State government in the dock,” he said.

AICC general secretary CP Joshi, who arrived in the State today, also claimed that no minister from Assam figures in the reports that have come out regarding the Louis Berger scam. “The State government has already ordered an inquiry. Let us wait for its report,” he said.

Meanwhile, three citizens – Abdul Wahed, Jayanta Gogoi and Bhaben Handique – today lodged an FIR at Dispur police station seeking an inquiry into the bribery scam. “By accepting bribes, the officials have committed offence under Prevention of Corruption Act. By their acts, these persons, including the officials and ministers, have hatched a crimil conspiracy to defraud the state and also committed breach of trust,” the FIR stated, without ming any accused.