In a significant development, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office, carried out search operations on Wednesday in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds by former officials of the Kamakhya Debutter Board. The search was conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The case involves accusations of financial mismanagement, with former officials of the now-defunct Kamakhya Debutter Board allegedly embezzling funds totaling around Rs. 7.62 crore between 2003 and 2019. The Kamakhya Debutter Board was responsible for the administration of the famous Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati.
As a result of the search operations, the ED seized insurance policies worth approximately Rs. 1.82 crore taken out in the names of the Board officials and their family members. In addition, documents pertaining to immovable properties and business dealings of these officials and their families were also confiscated.
Over 27 Bank Accounts Identified
The ED also discovered over 27 bank accounts linked to individuals associated with the misappropriation during the search operations.
The search focused on the residences of Riju Prasad Sarma, the former administrator of the Kamakhya Debutter Board, and two other now-deceased officials. Insurance policies, property documents, and business-related papers were seized from these locations.
How Funds Were Siphoned Off
According to the ED, the ex-officials of the Board used shell entities to siphon off funds from the Ma Kamakhya Temple. These entities were hired for the supply of materials and services, including electrical goods, cement, cleaning chemicals, manpower, and more, inflating costs and diverting money meant for the temple.
Background of the Kamakhya Debutter Board
The Kamakhya Debutter Board was formed in 1998 to manage the affairs of the Kamakhya Temple. However, the creation of the Board led to a power struggle with the Bordeuri Samaj, the traditional families of priests who had historically administered the temple.
In 2015, the Supreme Court declared the Kamakhya Debutter Board defunct, ordering its dissolution after years of conflict. The court restored the temple’s administration to the Bordeuri Samaj, marking a significant legal and administrative shift.
The ED’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the financial misappropriations involving the former officials of the Kamakhya Debutter Board.
এনেধৰণৰ অন্যান্য বা-বাতৰিৰ বাবে লাইক কৰক অসম লাইভ ২৪ ৰ ফেচবুক পেজ
