by Suspended Assam Civil Service Officer Arrested in Connection with MPLADS Scam
In a recent development, a suspended Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer has been arrested by the chief minister’s Special Vigilance Cell (SVC) in Silchar. The arrest is in connection with an alleged Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) financial scam. The officer, identified as Sukanya Borah, was taken into custody after five rounds of interrogations that started back in March last year.
Borah, who is 34 years old, was suspended in March last year due to her alleged involvement in suspected irregularities related to projects funded by the MPLAD. She had appealed for anticipatory bail in connection with the case to the Gauhati High Court in May last year, but her appeal was turned down.
The MPLADS scam revolves around the misappropriation of funds from Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan’s MPLAD fund. During the investigation, the vigilance cell discovered that Borah had approved payment for road construction in Barpeta even before the work was completed. Furthermore, it was found that Borah’s wealth had increased abnormally, and she had acquired properties in Guwahati, Morigaon, Hajo, and North Guwahati, among other locations, in the names of her family members.
Apart from Borah, other officers involved in the same MPLADS scam have also been apprehended. These include retired Public Works Department engineer Samed Ali and Deputy Conservator of Forests Bhaskar Deka. All the arrested individuals are currently being interrogated by the special vigilance cell as they were not cooperating with the investigation.
This incident has raised concerns about the misuse of public funds and the need for stricter measures to prevent such scams in the future. The Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell is determined to uncover the truth behind these alleged irregularities and bring those responsible to justice.
It is essential to ensure transparency and accountability in government schemes to maintain public trust and safeguard the interests of the citizens. The investigation will continue, and more arrests are expected as the probe progresses.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity in public service and the consequences that individuals may face if found guilty of corruption or financial misconduct. The authorities are committed to eradicating such malpractices and restoring faith in the system.
The people of Assam and the country at large will be closely watching the developments in this case as it unfolds. The hope is that justice will be served, and steps will be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
