BARPETA, Feb 25 - The main accused in the multi-crore insurance scam Manik Ali was arrested last night from Paltan Bazar in Guwahati. According to information, acting on specific tip- off, a team of police led by investigating officer of the case and DSP Barpeta, Samiran Baishya managed to nab the culprit from a hideout in Paltan Bazar.
He was brought to Barpeta for investigation and was produced before the magistrate this afternoon who remanded him to eight days police custody. With the arrest of Manik Ali, the number of persons arrested in this connection has risen to 19. They include government doctors, gaonburha, insurance agents, nominee of policyholders and other middlemen.
During the investigation, police came to conclusion that Manik Ali, a resident of Islampur near Jania in Barpeta district, who worked as an investigator of a number of insurance companies was one of the main brains behind the scam and the police was searching for him. Police raided his rented house at Barpeta and confiscated a number of incriminating documents. However, Manik had managed to evade arrest and went missing for the last five months. Police believe that his arrest will surely to give a new direction to the investigation.
It must be mentioned here that the scam surfaced from a PIL in the honourable Gauhati High Court by one Jitul Deka. The High Court directed the police to investigate the matter. Barpeta Police registered a case 1907/2018 in September 2018 last and began investigation under the supervision of DSP Samiran Baishya. Though a number of accused were brought to book during the five months, including a few from outside the State, Manik Ali the most wanted was absconding so far. It is believed that his arrest will expedite the process of investigation and lead to conclusion soon.
