By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: Three officials accused in the alleged Assam Fisheries Development Corporation (AFDC) financial scam have been granted bail by a Special Judicial Magistrate’s Court, even as the investigation continues to uncover alleged financial irregularities within the state-run corporation.
The court granted bail to Birinchi Adhikari, Padmakanta Hazarika and Jyotish Saikia, all of whom have been named as accused in the case.
Sources said the accused secured bail amid allegations of procedural lapses during the investigation. It has been alleged that the investigating officer did not inform the court about Dispur Police Station Case No. 298/2022, which is reportedly linked to the matter.
Padmakanta Hazarika was also granted relief on health grounds, sources said. He had earlier obtained bail from the Gauhati High Court in another case connected to the alleged scam.
Meanwhile, fresh details emerging during the investigation indicate that approximately Rs 7.14 crore belonging to the corporation was allegedly transferred to private bank accounts in violation of prescribed government financial norms.
Investigators suspect that large-scale financial irregularities took place between 2017 and 2021, during which crores of rupees were allegedly diverted to the personal accounts of employees, contractors and other individuals.
The alleged transactions are reported to have occurred during the tenure of former AFDC chairman and Morigaon BJP MLA Ramakanta Deuri.
The investigation has also led to allegations of collusion involving former officials, employees and contractors in facilitating the alleged diversion of funds.
The case was originally registered at Dispur Police Station in 2022, and the investigation into the alleged financial misconduct remains underway.