GUWAHATI: An Assam bureaucrat under investigation for alleged corruption involving illegal land transfer to “a particular community” in Barpeta, among the districts where the BJP-led govt has launched a drive against suspected Bangladeshi settlers, was Monday revealed to be a young woman into only her sixth year in the state civil service.The officer, Nupur Bora, has been arrested. Raids by the CM’s vigilance cell on two apartments belonging to Bora, a 2019-batch ACS officer currently posted as the circle officer of Goraimari in Kamrup district, yielded nearly Rs 1 crore in cash along with diamonds and other jewellery worth lakhs, SP Rosie Kalita said. Bora has been arrested.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the crackdown was based on specific complaints about the officer allegedly hoarding cash and assets disproportionate to her known sources of income. The findings of the investigation so far link her to illegal land transfer during her stint in lower Assam’s Barpeta, he said.
Poll
Do you believe the ongoing investigation will lead to meaningful reforms in Assam’s civil service?
“The govt received information that this official was transferring Hindus’ land to another community when she was posted in Barpeta. She has been on our radar for the last six months,” Sarma said.The CM said corruption was rampant in revenue circles of the state’s minority-dominant areas.Also See: Who is Nupur BoraOn Aug 27, the cabinet approved a new SOP that mandates clearance by Assam Police’s Special Branch for all inter-religious land transactions, citing concerns over demographic changes and national security. PM Narendra Modi, too, flagged threats to Assam’s demography from illegal immigrants during his visit to the state this weekend.Bora, whose Instagram profile showcases her love of fashion, décor and travel, owns apartments in Guwahati’s Gotanagar neighbourhood, the vigilance cell SP said. Police teams searched properties at four locations, including the Barpeta house of Bora’s alleged accomplice Surajit Deka.“The investigation is a work in progress. There are several allegations against the officer. We could seize more cash and other assets by the time the probe ends,” Kalita said. “This is the 25th case registered with the vigilance cell.”
About the Author
