Assam tourism recruitment scam: 2 officers held as CM Vigilance nears chargesheet
With eight officials identified so far, the alleged 2012–13 scam investigation moves steadily toward chargesheet filing soon
An image of suspended government officers Ananya Borthakur (Left) and Pranjal Bora. (AT Photo)
Guwahati, Nov 19: Two officers of the Assam Tourism Department have been arrested in connection with a recruitment scam dating back to 2012–13, tightening the ongoing investigation led by the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell.
On Tuesday, the Vigilance team apprehended Assistant Tourism Officers Pranjal Bora and Ananya Borthakur.
Bora had been serving in Nagaon, while Borthakur was posted in Delhi at the time of the alleged corruption. Both had already been placed under suspension by the government.
The case, which initially surfaced over irregularities in recruitment procedures within the Tourism Department, had earlier drawn the scrutiny of then Director Monalisa Goswami, who was questioned by the CM Vigilance Cell during the probe.
The Cell had also interrogated Borthakur and Bora on two earlier occasions before making Tuesday’s arrests.
So far, the names of eight officials have emerged during the investigation. In addition to Bora and Borthakur, the six other suspended officers are Hiran Kumar Saikia, Mehzubin Begum, Saimin Mannan, Gautam Gogoi, Madhav Das, and Nayanmoni Pamegam.
Pamegam, who had been absconding for some time, has been recently apprehended.
Confirming the developments, Investigation Officer Rosie Kalita of the CM Vigilance Cell, said, “The investigation is almost complete; we are just waiting to file the chargesheet. Nayanmoni Pamegam was on the run but he got caught. Now he has been arrested along with the other two officers.”
With the arrests now secured, the probe has entered its final stage, and the chargesheet is expected to be filed soon.