The Chief Ministers' Special Vigilance Cell made significant progress in the investigation of the massive Rs 105 crore-State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) scam, leading to the arrest of four individuals on Tuesday. Among those apprehended were two journalists and two Right To Information Act (RTI) employees, whose names were implicated during the interrogation of prime suspect Sewali Devi Sharma.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Bhaskarjyoti Hazarika and Pujamoni Das, both journalists, and Anup Saikia and Rabijit Gogoi, RTI employees. Following the proper procedure, they underwent a medical examination and will be held at the Pan Bazar Police Station and All Women Police Station in Pan Bazar overnight. Tomorrow, they will be presented before the court for further proceedings.
The superintendent of police (SP) of the CM Vigilance Cell highlighted the possibility of more individuals being implicated in the scam. Funds were allegedly deposited from the SCERT account into their personal accounts, and investigations are ongoing. The list of individuals involved in the scam is expected to expand.
The CM Vigilance Cell took action based on allegations made by Sewali Devi Sharma, the prime accused in the SCERT scam. Today, several journalists and RTI workers were summoned for questioning regarding their alleged blackmailing of Sewali Devi Sharma.
During the interrogation, journalist Pujamoni Das was found to have substantial amounts of money deposited in her mother's bank account. Additionally, the cell questioned Maina Saikia alias Anup Saikia, a close associate of Rabijit Gogoi, an RTI employee. Evidences of extortion were discovered on Gogoi's mobile phone, leading to the seizure of two mobile phones and an identity card of a news agency.
Sewali Devi Sharma previously claimed that she had been blackmailed and extorted over Rs. 2 crores by several RTI employees and journalists, whose names she provided during the investigation. On May 20, Sewali Devi Sharma, along with nine others, was remanded to judicial custody in connection with the SCERT scam.
The arrests made by the CM Vigilance Cell signify significant progress in the investigation, shedding light on the intricate web of individuals involved in the Rs 105 crore SCERT scam.
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