In Assam, 349 cases pending against politicians

Even after SC directive, police failed to complete probes, says RTI activist

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, March 8: With assembly elections round the corner in Assam, politicians belonging to various parties are gearing up to represent the people. For the voter, the time is nigh to choose the right candidate. But the question arises — how many politicians girding loins to represent the people, really have clean records in the first place?

As many as 349 cases are pending against political leaders in the State. What is more worrisome is the fact that despite Supreme Court directives, the Assam police have so far failed to complete investigation in many of these cases.

Highlighting this, RTI activist Dulal Bora on Tuesday slammed the Assam police for its ‘failure’. Addressing a press conference at Dispur Press Club, Bora said, “On July 24, 2015, the Additiol Director General of Police (Prosecution) wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati and the Superintendents of Police of Barpeta, gaon, Morigaon, Hojai, Kamrup Rural, Baksa, Biswath Chariali, Karimganj, Kokrajhar, Golaghat and Sonitpur asking them to fast track cases against sitting MLAs and MPs. In the letter, the ADGP (Prosecution) also asked them to complete the investigation with proper supervision with 90 days from the date of issuance of the letter.”

However, the police failed to act on it and only a negligible number of cases were disposed off while 349 cases have remained pending.

Some of the prominent politicians with cases pending against them include Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Rakibul Hussain, Atuwa Munda, Ajit Singh, Prasanta Phukan, Jatin Mali, Majendra rzary, Bijoya Chakraborty, Pradip Hazarika, Ataur Rahman Majar Bhuyan, Mazibur Rahman, Rupjyoti Kurmi, Akon Bora, Nilomonisen Deka etc. It may be mentioned that last year, the Supreme Court issued instructions to fast track cases against sitting MLAs and MPs and asked police departments to take necessary action.