Middleman spills the beans in Assam Police SI recruitment scam

GUWAHATI: Continuing its probe into the Assam Police SI (Sub Inspector) recruitment scam, the Assam Police, on Tuesday, found substantial proof of approximately Rs 1.50 crores transacted from the accounts of a middleman and his driver. However, the State Police is yet to find out the whereabouts of the two prime accused — PK Dutta (former Deputy Inspector General of Assam Police) and Diban Deka.

Giving details, a source said that the middleman identified as Kumud Goswami – a resident of Tihu town in Nalbari district — had surrendered before the Nalbari police on Monday. Professionally a Gram Sewak in the Agriculture department, Goswami reportedly used to collect money from candidates. This was revealed in the confessions of Kuldip Rajbongshi, who was earlier arrested in Nalbari. The Crime Branch is grilling Goswami in Guwahati.

During the day, the Crime Branch also grilled Jugami Brahma alias Jugamaya – the first person to be arrested by the Crime Branch in this case on the night of September 20 – the very day when the examination was cancelled. She had allegedly assured SI jobs to candidates in lieu of money.

An employee of the Irrigation department, she is a resident of Ulubari in Guwahati. However, as she tested COVID-positive on September 20, she was admitted in the GMCH. On Tuesday, Jugamaya tested COVID negative, and then she was brought to the Crime Branch office at Pan Bazar in Guwahati. After questioning her, the Crime Branch personnel produced her before the CJM Court; and the Court sent her to judicial custody.

On Monday night, Nalbari police arrested a candidate identified as Gunjan Das from Rampur in Kamrup. Sources informed that Gunjan appeared in the mock test held at the 'Thank You Lodge' in Guwahati on September 19 – a day before the examination was slated.

In another development on Tuesday, arrested candidate — Hirak Jyoti Barua — told the investigating officials of the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) that he had paid Rs 6 lakhs in two installments to PK Dutta, former DIG. A resident of West Karbi Anglong, Hirak was arrested from Nagaon. CID sleuths also recovered Hirak's e-admit card during a search operation at PK Dutta's Hengerabari residence in Guwahati recently.

As on Tuesday, the CID has collected the statements of 12 candidates.

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