APSC scam: Court exposes Assam govt's attempt to shield officials, says activist

Guwahati: The social media group, Fight Against Injustice of APSC, has leveled serious accusations against the Assam government's handling of the APSC cash-for-job scam.

The group's administrator, Manas Pratim Baruah, claimed the government is attempting to protect those implicated in the recruitment scandal.

Baruah pointed to a recent instance where the Special Judge Court of Assam took suo motu cognizance against nine ACS and APS officers accused of securing jobs fraudulently.

Despite being named in the Biplab Sarma One-Man Enquiry Commission's report, these officers were not included in the charge sheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the APSC scam.

"The investigating officer's 14th supplementary charge sheet omitted the names of 14 officers previously accused by the Biplab Sarma One-Man Enquiry Commission. However, the court recognized offenses committed by nine of these officers. This court order validates our claim that the government has been shielding certain officers involved in the scam," Baruah stated.

He also alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's role in the case has been biased and disappointing.

"For over two and a half years since the Biplab Sarma One-Man Enquiry Commission submitted its report, the chief minister has made various statements to protect accused officers," Baruah said.

Baruah criticized Sarma's statements defending "fraudulently elected officers" and his public attacks on the Special Judge who delivered a verdict in the case.

He also questioned the delay in releasing the Justice Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission report and the continued employment of the nine ACS and APS officers against whom the court took cognizance of offenses.

Baruah argued that drawing a salary while facing criminal charges is unacceptable.

Baruah alleged that the formation of the SIT itself was flawed, as a police officer, known as a close associate of the Chief Minister, was included in the team. Baruah claimed this move aimed to derail the investigation and protect influential officers.

The group demanded answers from Chief Minister Sarma regarding the delayed report, attempted cover-up, and continued employment of the accused officers.

He also urged the Director General of Police (DGP) to address concerns about the initial investigation.

He also pointed out the recent dismissal of an additional public prosecutor in an online trading scam case while questioning the ease with which some convicted Agricultural Development Officers obtained bail.

"This is a double standard of the government and a failure to uphold a genuine anti-corruption stance," Baruah said.