AGARTALA, October 13 (TIWN): After 25 day’s of slumber, finally police today conducted a raid in the house of the prime accused of multi-crore Bishlagarh MGNREGA scam. From this delayed Police activity, it looks like a drama as Bimal's godfather made sure that, Bimal had ample opportunity to destroy evidences and find a comfortable hideout. Police conducted raid at BDO Bimal Chakraborty's house at Milan Chakra,Agartala today. But the police could not find any documents related to the scam and the police was also unable to trace Bimal Chakraborty. It may be mentioned here that under instruction from top brass, the incumbent Block Development Officer (BDO) of Bishalgarh, Subrata Das, registered an FIR against his predecessor and incumbent Assistant Director of Information Department, Bimal Chakraborty and 11 others. The alleged scam in MGNREGA fund and a few other Central flagship projects have occurred during past two financial years, according to the report of State audit bureau.

All the officials have been put under suspension on charges of corruption. 

All officials including Bimal were suspended for involvement and indulgence in corruption at block level in implementation of Central schemes, Rural Development Minister told, recently. Police are probing the case. District Magistrate (Sepahijala) has also been asked to initiate an inquiry into the case, the Minister added. State government had taken sufficient measures to contain corruption at block levels. A huge number of scams including misappropriation of government funds from the MGNREGS, PDS and other funds were unearthed at the Bishalgarh sub-division in special internal audits of the accounts of the BDO.

Meanwhile, the Congress, which first raked up the issue, complained that the police were showing reluctance to detain Bimal Chakraborty as he is the younger brother of Amal Chakraborty, the State secretary of CPI(M) youth front DYFI. Bimal's other 2 powerful brothers are TSR Commandant Kamal Chakraborty and  Comrade Shyamal Chakraborty (Chief Minister Manik Sarkar's childhood friend from Udaipur). Apart from close relations with CM, talented Bimal Chakraborty converted earlier Chief Secretary Dr S.K.Panda’s book “One Plus One = Eleven” to Bengali version of 'Eker Sathe Ek Mile Egaro'. 

The internal audit report of Bishalgarh RD block exposed misappropriation of government funds of Rs 2,22,21,964 without executing works against work orders issued under MGNREGS, PDS, TFC etc, purchase of bricks from suppliers without receiving bricks resulting in non-execution of works, generating man-days of Rs 4,06,89,117 utilized unauthorized funds towards material cost made to other people depriving job card holders etc. The then BDO Bimal Chakraborty may find himself in a fix with the internal audit report clearly specifying that he was an equal partner in the crime.

It is learnt that Police are now awaiting permission from court to apply Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act), 1988 on Bishalgarh-scam. Police have sought permission from the court in this regard. Police are still in the process of collecting documents. So far, none of the accused officials has been quizzed by Police on the basis of primary evidence- internal audit report.

Pics : Police conducting raid in the house of BDO Bimal Chakraborty at Milan Chakra. TIWN Pic Oct 13

BDO BImal Chakraborty's 3 storied building at MIlan Chakra, Agartala. TIWN Pic Oct 13