GUWAHATI: A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Guwahati sentenced five individuals, including two former government officials, to prison terms of up to three years and imposed fines totaling ₹1.6 lakh for their roles in a case involving fraudulent withdrawal of government funds. This sentence was passed on Wednesday, October 30.
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Among those convicted are M. Rahman, former manager of a duck breeding farm in Phuroni, Assam, and B.N. Chakraborty, then Upper Division Assistant (UDA) in the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department. Alongside three private individuals—Jayanta Sharma, T.K. Das, and Pranab Saikia—they were found guilty of misappropriating funds allocated for developmental activities in Assam's hill areas.
The court sentenced Chakraborty, Sharma, and Das to three years’ rigorous imprisonment, with fines of ₹25,000, ₹40,000, and ₹50,000, respectively. Rahman received a two-year prison term with a ₹35,000 fine, while Saikia was sentenced to 1.5 years’ imprisonment and fined ₹10,000.
The case dates back to 1993, when CBI took over the investigation into alleged misuse of government funds under the direction of T. Buragohain, then Additional Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, who was authorised to purchase materials and livestock for development projects.
The accused, in collusion with other public officials, reportedly prepared fictitious bills totaling Rs. 1.75 crore, which they withdrew from the treasury between 1991 and 1992.
After filing a charge sheet in 1994, CBI conducted a lengthy trial, during which some of the accused, including Dr. Buragohain, passed away. The court has now delivered its verdict, convicting the five remaining accused for their involvement in the embezzlement scheme.