FIR filed against ex-NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela
Guwahati, Nov 28: An FIR was filed on Thursday against former NRC Coordinator Prateek Hajela by the Assam Public Works (APW) with the CBI's Anti-Corruption branch, alleging huge misappropriation of government funds in updating the NRC in the state.
APW, the original petitioner in the Supreme Court leading to the updation of the NRC in Assam under the supervision of the apex court,filed the FIR requesting for a high level probe into the alleged corruption/misappropriation of government funds by the former NRC state-coordinator and his close aides.
The case registered by APW member Rajib Deka said that the central government was funding the NRC updation process through the state coordinator.
"As per information, an amount of approximately Rs 1600 crore has already been released and we request you to inquire into the whole process of utilisation of the funds as several illegalities and financial irregularities has been committed in making different expenditures," the complainant said.
The FIR, a copy of which was made available to the media, claimed that Hajela had appointed several retired government officials as his advisors and they were provided with new vehicles and a handsome salary package.
There is no record of the nature of job done by the advisors and this expenditure has not been audited by the CAG, it said.
The FIR further alleged that a large number of school teachers were engaged in the updation process but no remuneration was paid to them but it has been shown on records that they have been paid huge amounts "which we believe has been misappropriated by Hajela and his close aides".
It further alleged that for updation of the NRC about ten thousand laptops were purchased at the cost of Rs 44,500 each but on survey, it has been found that its market value is Rs 22,500 a piece and "this is another instance of corruption in the NRC updation process".
About eleven thousand Electric Generators were purchased by Hajela at double its market price, Deka alleged in the FIR.
The FIR further alleged that it is a well-known fact that the former NRC coordinator did not allow the statutory audit of the NRC as he had committed huge financial irregularities and if inquired properly, the truth will come out.
"The above instances clearly indicate that huge corruption has taken place in the NRC updation process with Hajela and his close aides playing an active role in it", Deka alleged.
Under the circumstances, it is therefore, requested that an investigation may be carried out to bring out the truth and doing the needful as per the law, the FIR stated.
The final National Register of Citizens was published on August 31 last, under which names of more than 19 lakh people have been left out.
The supreme court had ordered Hajela's transfer from Assam to his home state Madhya Pradesh and he was released from the charge of NRC state coordinator on November 12 last.
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Four arrested for abduction of 19-yr-old college student; Rs 50,000 ransom bid foiled in Bengaluru
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Bengaluru (PTI): Four people, former and senior students of the same college, were arrested for allegedly abducting a 19-year-old from his hostel in the city and later demanding a ransom of Rs 50,000 for his release, police said on Monday.
The victim, a first-year BBM student, was abducted by the accused on April 11 at around 7.50 pm near his hostel in BTM Layout, they said.
However, the Madiwala police foiled the plan within four hours and rescued the kidnapped student, a native of Odisha, police said.
Of those arrested, two were former students of the same college, while the remaining two were current senior students there.
The matter came to light on the night of April 11 when information was received from a student stating that another student had been kidnapped near the college hostel in BTM Layout.
According to police, the victim was forcibly taken away in a car and held in an old house in Jayanagar on Saturday night. The accused allegedly threatened him with a knife and a fake pistol and demanded that he transfer Rs 50,000 via UPI, failing which he would be killed.
They also contacted his friends and family seeking money.
Acting swiftly, Namma 112 personnel immediately relayed the information to Madiwala police officials. Based on this information, a case was registered, and an investigation was initiated.
“Within five hours of the incident, the police, using technical surveillance, successfully rescued the kidnapped student and apprehended the accused. Further investigation is in progress,” a senior police officer said.
All the accused are aged between 19 and 23 years. One of them used his father’s car to carry out the abduction, while another former student, who had passed out from the same college, joined the group in taking the victim to the house in Jayanagar, which belonged to another accused.
Police said some money was transferred to the suspects to ensure they did not harm the victim.
Police suspect the accused are habitual offenders and are investigating their possible involvement in similar cases in the past. One of the accused was also previously involved in an extortion case, they added.
The accused were remanded to judicial custody, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.
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