AGARTALA,September 24 (TIWN): After more than one week's time since Arnab Chakraborty's arrest , the Cashier of School Education Department, School Education Dept (SED) alleged to be involved in looting more than Rs 5 crore from RMSA funds, suspense now deepens over the political bigwigs and top level officials of the department. Now a large section of the employees of SED suspect that Arnab is being made a victim in this case after years of political shelter given by the top bosses in Melarmath and some in the Government. People smelt a rat from the absence of the APP in the Court on Sunday and now all eyes are on the state govt's mute attitude, especially from the departmental minister Tapan Chakraborty and more important from police Headquarters as well.

To make 'a show piece' police issued a search notice against  mother and wife of Arnab Chakraborty. However, no such notice was issued against Arnab's two close aides whom Arnab named on Saturday during the interrogation by police, said a TIWN sources in Police. The sources adds that Arnab told the police that he kept a huge share of Rs 5 crore to his wife and his two friends.

      Since Arnab went on absconding it was considered that he destroyed the sim card that he usually uses. But TIWN investigating journalist came to know from a top level official that while he was absconding Arnab had regular telephonic conversation with Addl Director Dilip Kumar Debbarma. If call details are checked, truth will come out easily. However, even after such serious allegations were made against Arnab and when the names of some officials and political leaders are coming out from the accused, no attempts are yet made either by police or by the School Education Department to ask the call details of Arnab's mobile phone from 5th September 7pm to 12th September 9am. Now the question is why was Dilip Kumar Debbarma was involved in telephonic chat with Arnab ever since he went on absconding? Was he instructed by someone ? If so why is Dilip Kumar Debbarma not making a statement about it or why he did not tell the police about it?

    Another crucial question:- Is the higher officials are honest in the entire episode? Actually the question becomes relevant after the bank information that TIWN investigation team succeeded to collect. Following is the details of date wise withdrawal of money that Arnab made from the Tripura State Cooperative Bank Ltd's Old Secretariat Branch:-

Cheque no........................Date...............Amount (in Rs)

1)012783.................... . 26-08-14.............4,30,000

2)012782.......................27-08-14.............6,50,000

3)012751.......................28-08-14.............7,00,000

4)012752.......................29-08-14.............4,37,000

5)012753.......................30-08-14.............5,50,000

6)012754........................01-09-14............6,55,000

7)012756...............03-09-14....................11,72,000

   Thus, the total amount that he drew by forging the signatures of various officials from 26/08/14 to 3/9/14 is Rs 40,94,000/-. Was no one aware of it over this period ? Interestingly the cheques were signed by Joint Director Manabendra Chakraborty though before the police,  Manabebdra told that his signatures too were forged. But a TSCB official told TIWN," We have considerable amount of doubt whether these signatures were indeed forged ones. The cheques should be handed over to handwriting experts for verification of signatures." And another interesting thing is that from 17th August Dy Director Ambalika Datta was out of the state and thus there is no chance of her issuing the cheques.

       Again if Manabendra Chakraborty's signatures were forged, why didn't he take this matter to the knowledge of Director P K Chakraborty? And if P K Chakraborty was informed, why did the Director not take any action against Arnab then? Again under whose instruction TSCB gave authorization for the payment of these cheques ? A SED employee told TIWN on Tuesday night ," The cheques have not been authorized. Because the serial number of cheques clearly indicates that Arnab did everything in haste." But can the TSCB authorities not to be blamed? Why didn't they inform the Director or the Principal Secretary about these huge transactions back to back?

    Again state Finance Department recently sanctioned Rs 5.47 crore to RMSA cell under Girls' Hostel Scheme (including 10% of state share) to the Director of School Education Department ( State Mission Director) and accordingly the fund went to DDO Headquarter(HQ) Parimal Debbarma. As per rule the total amount should have been deposited in the SED A/C  kept in State Bank of India's Melarmath Branch. But mysteriously DDO HQ Parimal Debbarma deposited Rs 3.82crore in SBI, Melarmath Branch A/C and on 1/8/14 TSCB informed Arnab Chakraborty over that Rs 1.54 crore deposited in bank a/c . But a top level official told TIWN," The total amount Rs 1.54 crore is now missing ; though SED officials put the blame on Arnab Chakraborty. Here is a mystery-  Director P K Chakraborty was the sole signatory of the total Rs 5.47 crore. Thus, he should be held responsible for it ??? "    

Police searching RMSA Dy Director Ambalika Datta's house in Agartala. TIWN File Photo