34 Years Later: Verdict Delivered in Assam’s Rs 200 Crore LoC Scam

Guwahati, Oct 30: After nearly 34 years, a Special CBI Court in Guwahati has delivered a verdict on the Rs 200 crore Letter of Credit (LoC) scam involving Assam’s Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department. The scandal, originating in the 1990s, implicated senior officials and political figures, including then-Chief Ministers Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and the late Hiteswar Saikia.

Five individuals were convicted and sentenced to three years in prison, along with a collective fine of Rs 1.6 lakh. The convicted include M. Rahman, the manager of the Duck Breeding Farm in Phuroni; B.N. Chakraborty, an upper division assistant in the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department; and three private individuals: Jayanta Sharma, T.K. Das, and Pranab Saikia.

The scam involved fraudulent withdrawals amounting to Rs 200 crore through fake bills, making it one of the state’s most notable corruption cases of that period. Seven other defendants were acquitted by the court.

M. Rahman received two years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 35,000; B.N. Chakraborty was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 25,000; Jayanta Sharma received three years and a fine of Rs 40,000; T.K. Das was sentenced to three years and fined Rs 50,000; and Pranab Saikia was given one and a half years with a fine of Rs 10,000.

Those acquitted include D. Purakayastha, D. Sonowal, D. Laskar, Tutu Chetry, H. Vaipei, A. Kro, and Jadav Gogoi.

The scam surfaced during Hiteswar Saikia’s tenure (1991-96) when the case was transferred to the CBI, which re-registered it on May 17, 1994, following an FIR by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 1993. Investigations alleged that Dr. T. Buragohain, then Additional Director of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department (Hills), Haflong, conspired with others, including public servants and private individuals, to fabricate bills amounting to Rs 1,74,86,827. This amount was withdrawn without valid justification in 1991-92, resulting in considerable financial losses to the government.

The investigation implicated several high-ranking officials and reached political leaders, including former Chief Ministers Mahanta and Saikia. After the CBI filed a charge sheet on May 13, 1994, the case saw a prolonged trial during which many accused passed away, leaving only 12 of the original 34 accused by the case’s end.

The case began during Mahanta’s tenure and extended under Saikia’s administration. Amid political pressure, Saikia eventually handed the case over to the CBI. Following Saikia’s death, the CBI pursued charges against Mahanta, but the then-Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd) S.K. Sinha denied prosecution, stalling the case. The case was revived in 2010 during Tarun Gogoi’s government, culminating in Tuesday’s verdict.

The principal accused, Rajendra Prasad Borah, passed away from a kidney ailment in April 2023.

Hot this week

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Speeding truck rams Tura night bus, 4 passengers injured

Tura, Sept 5: Four passengers onboard a night bus...

The Baghmara connection to Meghalaya’s political history

Tura, Aug 17: For many in the state, Baghmara...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Attacks on minorities in Bangladesh: Indian Chakmas call for export ban

CDFI blames ISI, Islamic terrorists for Bangladesh unrest Guwahati Sept...

Under extraordinary circumstances Harris stepped up, led historic campaign: Biden

Washington, Nov 7: President Joe Biden on Wednesday applauded...

12th North East Festival to begin from November 15

New Delhi, Nov 7: The 12th edition of the...

Assam bypoll: Vehicles of MLAs, NSUI chief damaged in Samaguri

Nagaon (Assam), Nov 7: At least three vehicles in...

Court orders registration of FIR against IAS officer

Nalbari, Nov 7: A court in Assam's Nalbari district...

Public holiday declared on Nov 13 in five assembly seats

Guwahati, Nov 7: The Assam government on Wednesday declared...

Opposition MNF sweeps Sinlung Hills Council polls

Aizawl, Nov 7: The ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM)...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img