Guwahati, Dec 19: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against three accused individuals — Chabin Barman, Deepali Talukdar Barman, and Mukesh Aggarwal — in connection with one of the Assam Ponzi Scam cases. The chargesheet was submitted before the Special CBI Court in Guwahati within 90 days of the arrest of the accused, who remains in judicial custody.
The supplementary chargesheet also includes additional evidence against Monalisha Das, who had already beencharge-sheetedd earlier in the case.
The case, originally registered by Paltan Bazar Police Station, Assam, on August 21, 2024, was taken over by the CBI on October 14, 2024, under RC 221/2024/E0013 at the request of the Assam government. The initial complaint was filed against D.B. Stock Consultancy, a firm owned by Deepankar Barman, and named Monalisha Das along with 7-8 other employees as co-accused.
The complaint alleged that D.B. Stock Consultancy lured clients into depositing large sums of money with promises of guaranteed high returns. In return, clients were issued Rs. 100 stamp paper as proof of investment. However, in the three months preceding the complaint, payments to clients became irregular, with many receiving no payments at all. One complainant claimed to have invested Rs. 1 crore, while thousands of others reportedly invested “thousands of crores” into the scheme. It was alleged that the accused fled with the funds, leaving depositors in financial distress.
Key Findings of the Investigation
The CBI investigation revealed that D.B. Stock Consultany, operated as a proprietorship by Deepankar Barman, had been illegally accepting public deposits under the guise of five unregulated deposit schemes. The firm promised high fixed returns but ultimately defaulted on its obligations. Investigators discovered that deposits exceeding Rs. 400 crore had been collected from the public through these schemes.
Role of Key Accused
Chabin Barman: He is accused of conspiring with his son, Deepankar Barman, and promoting the deposit scheme at a promotional program at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Chabin Barman allegedly delivered speeches to attract deposits and played an active role in managing the scheme’s operations. He is also accused of receiving proceeds from D.B. Stock Consultancy and his son’s accounts.
Deepali Talukdar Barman: As the wife of Chabin Barman and mother of Deepankar Barman, she is accused of actively participating in the promotion and operation of the deposit scheme. Investigators allege that she received a share of the illicit proceeds, which she invested in real estate and other personal ventures.
Mukesh Aggarwal: A Chartered Accountant, Agarwal is accused of helping Deepankar Barman launder the proceeds of the deposit scheme. The CBI alleges that Aggarwal fabricated fake invoices, manipulated financial records, and falsified Income Tax (IT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) returns to conceal the source and movement of funds. He allegedly adjusted illicit funds as loans in the firm’s books at Deepankar Barman’s direction.
The CBI stated that the investigation is ongoing, with further probes being conducted into the role of other accused, including Deepankar Barman. Authorities are also tracking the financial trail of the defrauded funds to identify any additional beneficiaries or accomplices in the Ponzi scheme.
