ED conducts searches in Kamakhya Temple Fund misappropriation case, seizes insurance policies worth ₹1.82 Crore

Guwahati, Jan 23: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office, carried out search operations on January 22, 2025, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the “Debutter Board Kamakhya” case. The board, responsible for managing the Ma Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, is alleged to have misappropriated funds amounting to ₹7.62 crore between 2003 and 2019.

The investigation was initiated based on an FIR registered by CID Police Station, Guwahati, under multiple sections of the IPC. The FIR alleges that officials of the now-defunct Kamakhya Debutter Board misused temple funds by transferring them to shell entities and related businesses for personal gain.

To siphon off temple funds, the officials reportedly hired shell entities for providing materials like electrical goods, cement, cleaning chemicals, manpower, and other services. The funds were later diverted to entities owned by the officials or withdrawn in cash. They also split bills into amounts below ₹50,000 to circumvent a court directive requiring larger expenses to be approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup.

On January 22, searches were conducted at the residential premises of former officials, including Riju Prasad Sarma (then Administrator of Kamakhya Debutter Board), and the late Dhiraj Sarma and Naba Kanta Sarma.

The search operation resulted in the seizure of insurance policies valued at approximately ₹1.82 crore in the names of the officials and their family members. Additionally, documents related to immovable properties, business entities, and over 27 bank accounts linked to the accused were uncovered.

Further investigation into the misappropriation of temple funds and the generation of proceeds of crime is ongoing.

Also Read: Big Breaking: Squadron Corporal at Chabua Air Force Base found dead under mysterious condition

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Police arrest one for threatening multiple bomb blasts across Shillong

Shillong All Faiths Forum rejects KSP claim of ‘religious intolerance’ in Mawkynrew clash

Two sentenced in ABT terror module case in Assam