Key figure in the APSC Cash-for-Job Scam, an APS Officer, gets deputed to the NIA

Guwahati: Amidst a burgeoning storm of controversy, an Assam Police Service (APS) officer embroiled in the notorious Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) cash-for-job scandal has been appointed to the esteemed National Investigation Agency (NIA), triggering a fresh wave of concerns over the propriety of such a placement. Rumir Timungpi, a member of the APS, now stands at the eye of this tempest. He stood among the accused in the APSC cash-for-job imbroglio that jolted Assam in 2013, leading to the indictment of numerous officials from the Assam Civil Services and Assam Police Services on charges of corrupt involvement.

An order issued on August 11 discloses Timungpi's appointment as an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) within the NIA, encompassing a three-year deputation. However, this decision has not been exempt from critique, especially given his alleged entanglement in a significant corruption case.

The controversy extends to the Home Department's decision to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Timungpi's deputation to the NIA, which sceptics argue casts doubt on the integrity of the selection process and the government's dedication to eradicating corruption at its core.

The APSC cash-for-job scandal, a blot on Assam's administrative history, sparked an investigation overseen by retired judge Biplab Sarma. Timungpi, one of the implicated figures, faced a litany of allegations linked to the scandal. His inclusion in the roster of those chosen for deputation to the NIA has revived public scrutiny and scepticism regarding the government's commitment to combat corruption.

In an era where governmental transparency and accountability hold paramount importance, the decision to integrate an accused officer into a nationally vital investigative agency raises pertinent concerns about the message being conveyed. This development underscores the intricate equilibrium between administrative staffing choices and the imperative of upholding the integrity and credibility of law enforcement institutions.