Assam ACS Officer Caught Taking Bribe, ₹1.66 Cr Seized
Vigilance raid in Guwahati uncovers cash, fixed deposits and property documents
- Assam ACS officer caught allegedly accepting ₹45,000 bribe
- Vigilance team recovers ₹1.66 crore during raid in Guwahati
- Cash, fixed deposits and land property documents seized
- Officer accused in NOC-related bribery case for land transfer
GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 23rd May: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has arrested Lachit Kumar Das, an Assam Civil Service officer, for allegedly accepting a bribe at his office in Guwahati.
Das, who serves as Assistant Director at the Land Records and Survey Office, was allegedly caught while accepting ₹45,000 as part of a bribery transaction linked to the issuance of a no-objection certificate for an inter-religious land transfer case.
According to vigilance officials, the officer had allegedly demanded ₹1 lakh from an individual seeking the NOC. After negotiations, the amount was reportedly settled at ₹50,000.
The complainant later approached the vigilance department instead of paying the bribe.
Following verification of the allegations, vigilance officials laid a trap at the Directorate of Land Records office in Rupnagar, Guwahati.
Das was allegedly caught inside his office chamber immediately after accepting part of the demanded amount.
Officials said the tainted cash was recovered from his possession and seized in the presence of independent witnesses.
Subsequent raids at his residence led to recovery of large amounts of cash and financial documents.
During the overnight search operation, vigilance officials recovered ₹48.38 lakh in cash from a locker inside the house.
Investigators also seized fixed deposit certificates worth ₹80 lakh in the names of Das and his family members.
The total seizure later reportedly rose to ₹1.66 crore, including cash and financial assets.
Documents linked to land properties allegedly acquired by the officer were also recovered during the nearly 12-hour-long search operation.
A case has been registered against the accused officer under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The investigation is continuing to determine the source of the recovered assets and examine possible disproportionate assets linked to the accused officer.
