Assam: ED Executes Raids on Ex-Officials' Residences in Kamakhya Fund Misappropriation Case
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Synopsis
On January 23, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted a search operation related to the Debutter Board Kamakhya case, involving alleged financial misappropriation of Rs 7.62 crore by former officials managing the Maa Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. The operation led to the seizure of multiple assets and ongoing investigations into the matter.
Key Takeaways
- ED conducted search operations under the PMLA regarding fund misappropriation.
- Allegations involve former officials of the Debutter Board Kamakhya.
- Misappropriated funds total approximately Rs 7.62 crore.
- Searches revealed insurance policies and bank accounts linked to the officials.
- Investigation is still ongoing.
Guwahati, Jan 23 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) agents executed a search operation adhering to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act concerning the former Debutter Board Kamakhya case, which pertains to the administration of Maa Kamakhya Temple in Kamrup (Guwahati), over allegations of fund misappropriation totaling Rs 7.62 crore by ex-officials, as reported by ED sources on Thursday.
Sources revealed that the officials from the Guwahati Zonal Office conducted their search on Wednesday at the homes of former board officials under the PMLA, 2002 in relation to the Debutter Board Kamakhya, which was responsible for the management of the venerated Maa Kamakhya Temple located in Kamrup, near Guwahati.
The raid was prompted by allegations of fund misappropriation by officials of the now-defunct Kamakhya Debutter Board spanning from 2003 to 2019, amounting to approximately Rs 7.62 crore.
The ED initiated its investigation based on an FIR lodged by the CID, Guwahati, citing various sections of the IPC, 1860 for the misappropriation of Rs 7.62 crore against the Kamakhya Debutter Board officials through the transfer of funds to associated entities and rerouting them to entities owned by officials for personal benefits.
To divert funds from the Maa Kamakhya Temple, these former officials reportedly engaged related or shell entities to supply materials such as electrical goods, cement, cleaning chemicals, manpower, and other services, according to sources.
The funds were subsequently transferred to entities owned by these officials or withdrawn in cash. To circumvent regulations, the officials cleverly split bills to maintain amounts under Rs 50,000, complying with a court order prohibiting larger expenditures without the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup's approval.
On Wednesday, the ED conducted search operations under the PMLA, 2002, at the residences of Riju Prasad Sarma, the former Administrator of the Kamakhya Debutter Board, as well as Dhiraj Sarma and Naba Kanta Sarma (both now deceased), in connection with the generation of Proceeds of Crime (POC) related to the Maa Kamakhya Temple funds.
The ED's search operations have led to the seizure of insurance policies valued at around Rs 1.82 crore taken out in the names of Kamakhya Debutter Board officials and their family members.
Additionally, documents concerning immovable properties and business entities linked to Kamakhya Debutter Board officials and their families were confiscated. Moreover, over 27 bank accounts belonging to various related individuals have been uncovered during the searches.
Further investigations are currently underway, as added by the sources.
