GUWAHATI: Anti-corruption sleuths conducted searches at the residence and office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Abhijit Rabha in connection with a corruption case on 7 February.
The Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption, Assam had initiated the inquiry on the basis of information received by the State Government, regarding suspicious huge financial cash deposits, to the tune of approximately Rs. 4.12 crores, for the period 2011-2016, in the bank accounts of Rabha who is currently posted in Karbi Anglong.
The raids were conducted at three locations -his residence at Bye lane No.2, Rajgarh, Guwahati, his official residence at Diphu and office chamber at PCCF office, Diphu.
Huge numbers of high-value cash deposits ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs. 91 lakhs, were found in the different bank accounts of Rabha - of the Diphu Branch of HDFC Bank and Guwahati branch of Axis BAnk.
On being interrogated Rabha stated that he had earned an amount of Rs. 45 lakh from selling of broccoli which he was cultivating in a 16 bighas 2 katha 4 lechas land situated at Pajibindha Gaon, Rani in Kamrup district. However, he could not explain source of the other high value cash deposits. He produced documents of an agreement made with one local person and others for purchase of land on which said farming was conducted but during inquiry his claim was verified and was found to be false, as the land does not belong to him.
Also the actual owner of plot of land and other witnesses confirmed before the inquiry team that no broccoli cultivation had been done on the same.
“He was given ample scope to submit an account for such huge financial assets found in his possession while he was holding office as a public servant but he did not cooperate with the enquiry,” a statement read.
The Anti-corruption branch police station had registered a case against Rabha under sections 13(1)(b)/13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
