New Delhi, November 5
The Special Judge for CBI cases, Guwahati has sentenced five accused including from animal husbandary and veterinary department of Assam for misuse of government funds
Those sentenced have been identified as M. Rahman, then Manager of Duck Breeding farm, Phuroni (Assam); B.N. Chakraborty then Upper Division Assistant (UDA), Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Dept. and private persons namely Jayanta Sharma; T.K. Das and Pranab Saikia, to imprisonment of upto three years with total fine of Rs.1.6 lakh in a case related to fraudulent withdrawal of Government Funds.
Rahman was sentenced to two years’ Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 35,000/-; B.N. Chakraborty was sentenced to three years’ Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 25,000/-; Jayanta Sharma was sentenced to three years’ Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 40,000/-; T.K. Das was sentenced to 03 years’ Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.50,000/- and Pranab Saikia was sentenced to 1.5 years’ Imprisonment with fine of Rs. 10,000/-.
CBI had re-registered the instant case in 1994 against accused including those convicted. It was alleged that accused Dr. T. Buragohain, then Addl. Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department (Hills), Haflong (Assam) was entrusted by the Government as Head of Department for implementation of development of hill areas of Assam, authorizing him to effect purchase of instruments, appliances, machines/tools, plants, etc. and other stores including live stock when the purchase is made through Central Stores Department or through a duly constituted Purchase Board.
Taking advantage of this, Dr. T, Buragohain allegedly entered a criminal conspiracy with Hrangkhol, F&AO; Hafiz Ali, Head Assistant; B. N. Chakraborty, Upper Divisional Assistant (UDA), o/o the Addl. Director, A.H. & Vety Deptt. (Hills), Haflong and Dandi Sonowal, Treasury Officer, Haflong and other public servants and private persons and prepared some fictitious bills amounting to Rs.1.74 crores and drew from the treasury in excess, in the year 1991-92 by abusing their official position as public servants. The accused knew fully well that there was no such justification for drawl of the alleged amount, in question and thereby they defrauded the Government.
After completion of investigation, charge-sheet was filed by CBI in May 1994 against the accused including those convicted by the court. Some accused including Dr. T. Buragohain died during the trial.
