GUWAHATI, Feb 7 - Anti-corruption sleuths today conducted searches at the residence and office of senior IFS officer Abhijit Rabha in connection with a corruption case.
ADGP (Vigilance and Anti corruption) Anurag Tankha told The Assam Tribune that separate teams, after obtaining search warrant from the special court, conducted raids at three locations today � Rabha�s residence at Bye lane No. 02, Rajgarh, Guwahati, his official residence at Diphu and office chamber at PCCF office, Diphu. Rabha is currently holding the post of Special PCCF, Karbi Anglong.
The search teams seized documents and articles relate to assets, bank accounts and LIC related documents, four laptops, mobile phones, around Rs 8.5 lakh cash, hand held walkie talkie sets etc from the three locations.
On the basis of an information received by the government regarding suspicious huge financial cash deposits to the tune of approximately Rs 4.12 crore, for the period 2011-2016, in the bank accounts of Rabha, who was then the Additional PCCF, Karbi-Anglong, the Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption, had initiated an investigation.
During the investigation, it was found that there were huge numbers of cash deposits ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 91 lakh in the bank accounts of Abhijit Rabha.
The deposits were made during the period from the year 2011 to 2017 in his accounts in HDFC Bank, Diphu Branch, and Axis Bank, Guwahati branch.
On being interrogated regarding the source of these cash deposits, Abhijit 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. The officer 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. However, the actual owner of plot of land and other witnesses also stated before inquiry team that no broccoli cultivation had been done on that plot of land ever.
�Thus Rabha furnished a false statement during inquiry and his explanation for source of funds from broccoli farming is false. He was given ample opportunity to submit 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 inquiry,� the official said.
The Anti-corruption branch police station yesterday had registered a case against him under sections 13(1)(b)/13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Rabha.
