GUWAHATI: Bhaskar Deka, an Assistant Forest Officer (AFS) and the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Nagaon, Assam, is under scrutiny for alleged criminal misconduct and the accumulation of disproportionate assets.
The case was initiated following a news report published in the Assamese daily Asomia Pratidin, accusing Deka and others of extorting money for the illegal transportation of felled trees from the Salana forest.
A case was initiated based on the findings of an enquiry report, and the case was subsequently registered at the Chief Minister's Special Vigilance Cell, Assam. The allegations include extortion of ₹15,000 per truck for transporting illegally felled trees.
Upon investigation, Bhaskar Deka is accused of intentionally enriching himself illicitly during his tenure as a public servant, abusing his position for personal gain.
Click Here To Join Our WhatsApp Channel
It was also found that Deka conducted foreign visits without proper permission from the competent authority, violating established protocols. A forensic audit conducted by an empanelled Chartered Accountant firm revealed that Bhaskar Deka possessed disproportionate assets to the tune of ₹5,38,16,763, constituting 183% of his known sources of income.
Bhaskar Deka was arrested on January 18, 2024, for attempting to liquidate disproportionate assets and not surrendering his Indian passport.
After arrest, he was remanded to 5 days police custody. On completion of the remand period, he was sent to judicial custody and presently he is in the district central Jail, Guwahati.
On receipt of the prosecution sanction accorded by the Department of Environment and Forests, Government of Assam, against the arrested accused Bhaskar Deka, the chargesheet has been submitted today vide Vigilance Police Station Chargesheet No.03/2024 dated February 29 U/S 13(1)(b)/13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.
The investigation remains open under Section 173(8) of the CrPC for potential charges of criminal conspiracy and abetment involving other individuals in connection with the accumulation of disproportionate assets.
