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Former DIG absconding in SI recruitment paper leak case

By STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Sept 24 - The investigation into the leak of question papers for recruitment of SI (Unarmed Branch) of Assam Police has turned into a high-voltage drama with the name of former DIG PK Dutta, who is currently absconding, figuring in the scam. Since Wednesday evening the sleuths of CID have been carrying out search operations at Dutta�s residence in the Hengrabari area as well as the two units of Hotel Bhargav Grand at Lokhra and Betkuchi in the city. The hotel is owned by the former DIG.

On September 20, the written examination for recruitment of sub-inspectors in the unarmed branch of Assam Police conducted by the State Level Police Recruitment Board, Assam (SLPRBA) was cancelled after the question paper leak on social media. The SLPRBA had filed a complaint with the CID and after preliminary investigation the CID arrested Hirakjyoti Barua, a candidate of the examination, on September 22 from Nagaon. Based on his statement, the CID later started the search operation at the residence and hotels of PK Dutta, which is still under way.

Sources said that from Dutta�s residence, the CID has seized a large number of documents and properties, including gold ornaments. But when asked by this correspondent senior police officials did not confirm about the seizures. They were also tightlipped about Dutta�s whereabouts.

�Our teams have been carrying out continuous search operations. We can make statement about the seizures once the operations are over,� CID IGP Surendra Kumar said.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Diban Deka, who was questioned by the CID in connection with the case, today took to Facebook and revealed that many high-profile persons, including �dishonest� senior police officials, were linked to the �gang of Assam Police� that has leaked question papers of the examination.

In the Facebook post, Deka also alleged that persons, who were involved with the infamous �secret killings� in the State, were also linked with this question paper leak. �At present I am taking shelter outside the State to save my life. I request the State government to ensure security to my family,� he wrote.

Deka admitted that he was associated with the private company that had been entrusted by the SLPRBA to conduct the examination. On the examination day, he got a copy of the question paper through WhatsApp before the scheduled start of the test and he immediately forwarded it to SLPRBA chairman Pradip Kumar for necessary action.

On the other hand, the crime branch of Guwahati police today raided Upasana Lodge and Bhargav Hotel located in the Ganeshguri area of the city in connection with a separate case of monetary deals for providing SI (Unarmed Branch) jobs in Assam Police. In this connection, police has arrested Sanjib Sarma, an employee of the Special Task Force of Assam Police and seven others � Pranjal Sarma, Alakesh Baishya, Bimal Thapa, Pranab Bora, Ashok Das, Kuldip Rajbongshi and Dhruba Jyoti Das.

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