The final verdict on the sensational Karabi-Dubori murder case 22 years ago was pronounced recently by the District & Sessions Judge Court, Kamrup (M). The court acquitted businessman Bhagya Kalita and his driver Fatiur Ali of all charges in context to the infamous killings of Karabi Das, wife of Ujjal Kr Das and their minor daughter, Chandrani Dharitri Das alias Dubori in 1995. Both have been declared innocent by the court. The final hearing came after 22 years and 22 days. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had charge-sheeted Bhagya Kalita and two of his associates, who were allegedly involved in the sensational killing of the duo. Both Karabi and her daughter were murdered in cold blood on July 31, 1995 at their residence in Ambari, Guwahati. The incident had triggered wide sensation in the entire state and was considered to be one of the most controversial criminal cases in Assam. Karabi’s 3-year-old son, who was reportedly an eyewitness to the crime, had reportedly said Kalita’s bodyguard had fired the shots in presence of Kalita, who was a regular visitor to the house based on which the CBI had filled the charge-sheet. The son’s statement, however, was not taken into account due to his age. The CBI charge-sheet was filed in October 1998. One of the accused, a “bodyguard” of Kalita, Bhupen Medhi, has been untraceable for the last 22 years. After his acquittal, G Plus talked to Bhagya Kalita seeking his opinion on the case and how he got dragged into the controversy if he was innocent.
Bhagya Kalita and his involvement
Exclusively talking to G Plus, Bhagya Kalita said, “I was pulled into the case because the day the incident took place at 10 o clock, I was in Advocate General Pachu Gopal Baruah’s house on some work related to my business in Numaligarh. The next day we came to know about the incident and I was dragged into the case because of the statement of her son who was around 3 years old then. I had good relations with the family; we used to visit each other’s homes. Karabi’s family was involved in the music industry and many people used to visit her home. I was dragged into the case because the youngster said that my security guard killed his mother. But at that time any person who visited her house and carried a gun was considered to be my security personnel.” He said that no one used to visit their house with security other than him as at that time he was targeted by ULFA and so the then Chief Minister, Hiteswar Saikia, had provided him with two security guards.
Who was Bhupen Medhi?
Talking about Bhupen Medhi, Kalita said, “Bhupen Medhi was never my bodyguard. It is a false accusation. He was a SULFA and used to help the cops in trapping ULFA cadres.” He said, “My house was on the 1st floor of DIG office at Rehabari; the ground floor housed the CWR office. On the second floor lived Ex DGP Subramaniam and on the third floor IGP Kalipath Chakravorty used to live.” He said that behind the building there were some police barracks and Bhupen Medhi was given shelter there because he used to help the police in snaring ULFA cadres. Kalita said Bhupen Medhi had connections with the police. He used to roam around the city with the police and identify the ULFA cadres and their locations. So Bhupen Medhi did not have any relation with Kalita; in fact he was related to the police. He said, “Sometimes, we used to acknowledge each other with a hi-hello as he used to live in my close proximity.” Our driver, Fatiur Ali, in his statement had said that Bhupen Medhi had taken Ali to Karabi’s house. Medhi had taken something in a plastic bag and Fatiur heard the gun shots. Kalita said that instead of Bhupen Medhi police came after him. He said, “The police should have gone after Medhi but they came after me,” and added, “Lora tuye kole Bhagya Mamar securitye maak mari gol (Bhagya uncle’s security killed my mother). They should have identified my security. I had two security guards provided by the police and both of them were quizzed by the police and later they were let off after which they dragged me into the controversy. Police arrested me and I spent 90 days in jail.”
At that time, according to him, there was a public outrage and to save their own position the police made Kalita a scapegoat. Talking about CBI, he said that central investigating agency came into the picture one year later. CBI did not arrest Kalita but interrogated him and quizzed 57 witnesses along with him. All the witnesses said that Kalita was not involved. CBI charge-sheeted Kalita as the culprit but was not able to prove it in the court. Talking about Bhupen Medhi, Kalita said that the police should be still aware where he is.
What relation did Kalita have with Karabi?
He said that Karabi Das was an LIC agent and singer Sadananda Gogoi had introduced Kalita to her. Kalita had bought an insurance policy from her. He said that gradually she asked him for some more contacts so that she could get some more clients and Kalita accordingly helped her with many references. She became a good performer in LIC thereafter. He said, “Then gradually we became family friends and we used to visit each other’s houses.” On being asked if he had an extra-marital affair with Karabi, Kalita said, “It is not true. Why I used to visit their house only I know and her family knew. People created unwarranted rumours.” He said that he had very good relations with Karabi’s husband and all her family members. Kalita said that he met Karabi’s husband through her and they were family friends.
How did he make his fortune?
Talking about all that he faced in the last 21 years he said, “I faced a lot in the last 21 years, especially from the society. After this incident people started casting aspersions on me and even my close friends were sceptical about continuing their friendship with me. I suffered mentally for 21 years. High profile people used to feel awkward to invite me for any occasion.” He said that he however always knew that he was innocent and believed that one day God would give him the justice he deserved.
He said that recently the Income Tax Department had awarded him for paying tax to the tune of Rs 2.40 crores and he is considered one of the richest men in Assam. He said, “I am successful because my mind was never criminal and I was never scared of anything because I have never done anything wrong.” He said he was committed to his work and no one can level allegations that he has done any illegal work. “Whatever I do God sees like a satellite,” said Kalita and added that 21 years ago he used to undertake small contracts worth Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakhs but now he owns a Rs 2,000 crore company. He said that construction works in veterinary department and highways changed his life.
Meanwhile, Karabi’s family said that it will approach a higher court. On this Kalita said that he cannot stop anyone from going anywhere especially when he is confident that he is innocent.
