GUWAHATI, July 8 - Assam Vegetables Growers Cooperative Society Ltd (AVGCSL) chief executive officer (CEO) Rahul Amin has been arrested by the Bureau of Investigation (Economic Offences) for swindling over Rs 10 crore of small farmers� money in the pretext of various schemes.
Two others � Ranjan Pegu, vice chairman of AVGCSL and Himani Basumatari of Baksa, an accomplice � have also been arrested.
The BIEO had initiated an inquiry following more than 30 written complaints from people belonging to different districts of Assam. After a thorough enquiry, a case was registered at BIEO directorate against Rahul Amin regarding commission of fraud amounting to more than Rs 10 crore.
�The fraud amount (Rs 10 crore) is based on the documents we have so far. But we feel the amount is far more. We are in the process of collecting more evidence,� BIEO additional superintendent of police Purabi Mazumdar told The Assam Tribune.
During enquiry, the BIEO examined more than 40 persons and witnesses of different cooperative societies of Chirang, Baksa, Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Dhemaji who deposited different amounts � starting from Rs 3,000 � for different schemes as allured by the CEO.
The Assam Vegetable Growers Cooperative Society Limited collected more than Rs 10 crore through demand draft, cheque, cash, etc., from the innocent public of far flung villages and small towns in the name of different schemes � poultry, piggery, goatery, fishery, tractor, dairy, power tiller and as registration fees, etc. The schemes never existed in reality.
The gullible villagers were told that 90 per cent subsidy would be provided in various schemes, but none of the beneficiaries received anything from the AVGCSL.
During enquiry, it was also established that the AVGCSL also manipulated the bylaws of the society to cheat innocent public. They reportedly have also violated many provisions of the Assam Cooperative Society Act.
All the aspects of the case are being investigated by the BIEO now, including various bank accounts maintained and used by the AVGCSL and its CEO. The agency is also examining the various conspiracy angles and the modus operandi of alluring public into parting with their money.
The BIEO says there are three to four persons who could be involved in the racket and more arrests are on the cards.
Rahul and Ranjan were today produced in a court and remanded in nine days� police custody. The lady accomplice was sent to judicial custody.
Rahul Amin had last year conducted a mega farmers� meet �Vibrant Assam-2018� at the Khanapara playground here.
