The sleuths of the Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption on February 7th, 2020 conducted raids at the residence and office of IFS officer and PCCF Karbi Anglong, Abhijit Rabha in connection with a corruption case.
The Anti-corruption sleuths conducted raids at three locations– Rabha’s residence at Rajgarh, Guwahati, his official residence at Diphu and office chamber at PCCF office, Diphu. Documents and articles related to assets, bank accounts, LIC related documents, 4 laptops, mobile phones, cash over Rs. 6 lakh, 50 handheld walkie talkie sets were seized from the three locations.
The raids were conducted based on specific information regarding suspicious huge financial cash deposits, to the tune of approx. Rs. 4.12 crore, transacted in between 2011-2016, in the bank accounts of Rabha.
Huge numbers of high-value cash deposits ranging from one lakh up to Rs. 91 lakhs, were found in the bank account of Rabha transacted between 2011 to 2017, in his different bank accounts–HDFC Bank, Diphu Branch and Axis Bank, Guwahati branch.
In his defence, Rabha stated that he had earned an amount of Rs. 45 lakh from selling broccoli cultivated in a 16 bighas 2 Katha, 4 Lecha land at Pajibindha Gaon, Kamrup (R). However, he could not explain the source of the other high-value cash deposits. The official produced documents of an agreement made with one local person and others for purchase of land on which said farming was conducted but during the enquiry, his claim was verified and was found to be false, as the land does not belong to him. The actual owner of the plot of land and other witnesses also stated before the enquiry that no Broccoli cultivation had been done on that plot of land ever.
“He was given ample scope to submit an account for such huge financial assets found in his possession while he was holding office as a public servant but he did not cooperate with the enquiry,” a statement read.
The police informed that as he could not establish the legal source of income with assets to the tune of over Rs. 4.11 crore he is booked under section 13(1)(b)/13(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and a case vide ACB PS case no. 01/2020 has been registered against Rabha.
The investigation of the case is underway.
Photo Credit: Dhruba Borah
