Assam: Vigilance team nabs education officials in bribery case

Guwahati: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) of Assam arrested officials of Lakhimpur Education Department for accepting bribes, involving a demand of Rs 50,000.

Report said that the bureau arrested Padmeswar Bora, Block Elementary Education Officer, Narayanpur Block (BEEO) and Mahim Debajeet Saikia, a LP school Head Master red-handed while accepting bribes at the BEEO-Narayanpur office on Wednesday afternoon.

According to reports, the bureau made the arrest upon acting on a complaint filed by Dulu Pawe, the senior assistant of the BEEO-Narayanpur office.

Reports from the bureau said that Padmeswar Bora show caused Pawe for allegedly receiving Rs. 90,000 from nine teachers to minimise their Income Tax calculations.

In a bid to get rid of any disciplinary action, Dulu Pawe approached Mahim Debajeet Saikia, Head Master of Rangpur-Betani LP School, to mediate the matter with the BEEO, the report said.

Report further said that Dulu Pawe filed a complaint stating that the BEEO Padmeswar Bora demanded Rs. 50,000/- from him through Mahim Debajeet Saikia to revoke his suspension.

As Dulu Pawe handed over the amount to Mahim Debajeet Saikia in his car outside the office, a team of  DAVC arrested him from the spot along with Padmeswar Bora, the reports added. 

Officials said that the bureau arrested the government officials based on the evidence collected during the sting operation.

Bureau filed an FIR at the ACB Police Station under Section 61(2)(a) of the BNS and Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (amended in 2018).

Legal proceedings are underway as the Directorate continues its investigation into the case.