Assam DDO Deveshwar Bora was arrested in the case of alleged fraud worth crores. According to Vigilance, he used to imitate the voice of CM and big leaders and assure people of getting government contracts, jobs and licenses.
Guwahati: Assam State Civil Service officer and District Development Officer (DDO) of Dhemaji, Deveshwar Bora, was arrested by the Chief Minister Vigilance on Tuesday. A case has come to light against him for allegedly extorting crores of rupees from people by claiming to get government contract, government job and license of liquor shop. According to the investigating agency, the alleged fraud was going on since 2011. During the investigation, allegations also came to light that to win people's trust, calls were made by imitating the voices of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Chief Secretary and other senior leaders and ministers.
According to the preliminary investigation by Chief Minister Vigilance, Bora allegedly took Rs 2 crore from one person and Rs 50 lakh from another person. He is also accused of demanding a bribe of Rs 50 lakh from political leader Ramen Barthakur. Apart from this, a complaint has also come to light about non-payment to a contractor involved in the repair of a government bungalow after the completion of the work.
The agency says the number of victims in the case and the total amount of alleged financial transactions may increase in further investigation.
Used to build trust by imitating the voices of big leaders
According to CM Vigilance SSP Rosie Kalita, Bora allegedly exaggerated his political and administrative reach to the people. During investigation, some victims told that they were made to talk to big leaders and ministers on phone.
The investigating agency alleges that in these phone calls, the voices of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Chief Secretary and other senior leaders and ministers were copied.
This alleged method was used to make people believe that Bora had direct access to the top levels of government and power. After this, money was taken from them in the name of getting work done like government contract, job or license.
According to Vigilance, due to this trust, some people gave lakhs and crores of rupees to Bora. The agency also says that Bora used to transfer the money received from one person to another person and this is how the alleged network was operated.
Bora was not alone, the team's role is also under investigation
During the investigation, Chief Minister Vigilance has also found indications of the role of other people in the alleged fraud. According to the agency, Bora was not working alone and had a team attached to him.
People involved in this network allegedly helped in contacting potential victims, arranging phone conversations and transferring money. Now the investigating agency is trying to identify these people and find out their role in the alleged crime.
After receiving complaints from many people, case number 14/26 has been registered against Deveshwar Bora by combining different complaints and FIRs.
The agency is now trying to find out the total financial size of the alleged fraud and how many people have been affected by this network.
9 mobile phones recovered, only one in the name of SIM bag
During the investigation, 9 mobile phones were recovered from Bora. According to Vigilance, only one of the SIM cards used was in the name of Bora, while the remaining SIMs were found in the names of other people.
Now investigators are collecting information about the use of these mobile numbers and SIM cards. Authorities are trying to find out who was actually using the SIM cards issued in the name of other persons.
The role of mobile phone data, call records and other digital evidence can be important in the investigation. Vigilance is also investigating possible crimes under the Information Technology Act in this case.
The investigation is not limited to the alleged phone prank or voice imitation, but also focuses on understanding the entire chain of people, communication channels and money transactions associated with it.
Investigation of properties in family name also
Chief Minister Vigilance is also investigating Bora's alleged disproportionate assets. Initial investigation is said to have revealed information related to his alleged properties in Guwahati and Lakhimpur.
According to the investigating agency, information has been received that some properties are in the name of his wife and other family members. Allegations have also come to light that some properties were kept in his brother's name.
The investigating officers have also recorded the statement of Bora's brother. The agency is now in the process of matching Bora's declared income, possible illegal income and assets in his name and that of his family members.
If the investigation reveals any discrepancy between income and assets, the agency can also investigate its basis and source.
Case of fraud in Arunachal Pradesh also
Information about a fraud related case being registered against Deveshwar Bora in Arunachal Pradesh has also come to light. Assam CM Vigilance is also including this case in its investigation.
The agency is trying to find out if there is any connection between the alleged network that emerged in Assam and the case related to Arunachal Pradesh. For this, old records, complaints and financial transactions are being investigated.
At present, investigation in this regard is going on and the final determination of any charges will be taken only after the related legal process.
Alleged extortion in the name of contracts, jobs and licenses
According to Vigilance, apart from getting government work, Bora is accused of taking money by claiming to get a government job and license of a liquor shop.
In such cases, building trust by using government position and alleged political connections has become an important aspect of investigation. If the allegations of the investigating agency are proved to be true, then many aspects related to fraud and corruption along with alleged abuse of public office may come to light in the case.
However, the investigation is still ongoing and the allegations are yet to be confirmed in court. Being arrested does not prove a person guilty.
Monitor digital and financial records
As the investigation progresses, the role of mobile phones, SIM cards, call records and documents related to financial transactions may increase. The agency is trying to trace the people involved in the alleged network and the end use of the money.
Vigilance is also investigating whether the people from whom money was allegedly taken were contacted by any officer or department to provide government work or other facilities.
This may clarify the pattern of alleged fraud in the case and any possible misuse of government machinery.
More names likely to emerge in investigation
After the arrest of Deveshwar Bora, the scope of investigation has now expanded to his alleged network, financial transactions, mobile and SIM cards and properties.
According to Chief Minister Vigilance, the number of complaints may increase and new victims or alleged associates may also be identified during the investigation.
At present the agency is investigating the total amount of the alleged fraud, the people involved in the network and the source of the assets. The further course of the case will depend on the digital, financial and documentary evidence emerging from the investigation.
These serious allegations against a government official in Assam have also brought to the fore the question of extorting money from people by using government position and alleged influence. However, the final conclusion on the allegations will come only after the judicial process is completed.