GUWAHATI, Sept 13 - Preliminary investigation into the case related to an alleged money loot by Sub Inspector of the Basistha Police Station Bhaskar Jyoti Nath suggested that the latter did not follow the seizure protocol mandated by law.
�There was no independent witness present at the time of the seizure, which was in violation of the laid down norms, inferring that there was more to it than meets the eye,� preliminary investigation into the case stated.
Based on the initial findings of the inquiry, the Commissioner of Guwahati Police had placed Nath under suspension on Saturday.
The preliminary investigation is being carried out by the ADCP (East) Subhrajyoti Borah and a departmental proceeding, too, has been ordered against Nath.
Reserve Inspector of the Police Commissionerate, Guwahati, will put up draft charge and statement of allegation, etc.
�There was a lapse on the part of SI Bhaskarjyoti Nath during the seizure of the cash. There was no independent witness at the time of the seizure, which is mandatory. It is also not clear that the seizure list was prepared on the spot or later. However, the owner of the lodge Ramani Kalita is believed to have signed the seizure list. In the CCTV camera footage, we have seen that Nath was carrying a bag but whether it contained the cash as alleged by the complainant would be known after a thorough investigation,� ADCP (East) Subhrajyoti Borah told The Assam Tribune.
A team of seven police personnel of Basistha PS led by SI Nath had conducted a raid at the Subham lodge owned by Ramani Kalita, former Additional Director of Industries and Commerce, on September 7.
A complaint was filed by Kalita with the Commissioner of Guwahati alleging that Nath looted a huge amount from his residence on the pretext of seizure. Kalita alleged that the SI looted Rs 21 lakh from his Beltola residence on Monday night.
Although the accused police officer claimed that a raid was conducted at the lodge during which Rs 6.5 lakh cash was recovered and three persons were arrested for resorting to gambling and betting, the complainant, however, refuted Nath�s version stating that the police officer in question had actually taken away Rs 21 lakh, which was nothing but his accounted money. Police had also detained Ramani Kalita, but later he was released.
A senior official, when asked, stated that Nath, if caught on the wrong foot, would be booked under the relevant sections of law and no leniency would be shown to him.
