AGARTALA, Dec 24 (TIWN): In a new twist, Partha Acharjee (Accounts Assistant) of MGNREGA at Bishalghar RD Block, a key accused was arrested for his involvement in misappropriation of MGNREGA funds from his house at Suryamaninagar, here this afternoon. Among the 12 FIR named accused persons, another accused of massive financial irregularities at Bishalghar RD Block- Chayan Nandi (Technical Assistant) was arrested from Pecharthal, here this afternoon. Both of them will be produced before the SDJM Court, Bishalghar on Wednesday, said police. Though the name of Partha Acharjee was not in the FIR but police arrested him with the charges of public fund embezzlement for misappropriating huge funds by passing fake work order and submitting fake adjustment and bills alongwith the then BDO Bimal Chakraborty, the prime accused of MGNREGA scam.

Being asked, “We sent a letter with photograph to the 158 Bn Border Security Force (BSF) to host a flag meeting with the Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) for bringing Debprasad Nandi, a Gram Rojgar Sevak (GRS) in his own land from Bangladesh”, said an official of police department. According to the police, Debprasad fled away to Bramanbaria of Bangladesh to evade arrest.

“Debprasad had reportedly misappropriated huge public funds without submitting utilization certificates to the concerned authority. The funds were released under the MGNREGA at Bishalghar RD Block in phases. The further investigation into public fund irregularities will be accelerated once Debprasad is arrested”, said police.

The arrest of Partha Acharjee indicates that police are getting success by interrogating the accused persons. Of the total FIR named accused persons, only Debprasad Nandi (GRS) and Mita Malakar (Junior Engineer) are still at large.

The total 10 arrested or surrendered persons into Multicrore Bishalghar scam are; Partha Acharjee (Accounts Assistant), Chayan Nandi (Technical Assistant), Mita Malakar (Junior Engineer), Kishore Banik (Technical Assistant), Nibash Pal (Jr. Mechanical Engineer), Partha Sarkar (Jr. Mechanical Engineer), Goutam Pal (Junior Technician), Tushar Kanti Sen (Panchayat Secretary), Shayamal Debbarma (GRS), Sarada Debbarma (GRS) and Subir Ukil (Work Assistant).

On the other hand, the partial charge-sheet into multi-crore MGNREGA scam of Bishalghar RD block is likely to be submitted before the Court by this month, said police.

On being asked about the progress, all the accused persons are started opening their mouths saying that a large amount of allocated MGNREGA funds at Bishalghar RD Block have been implemented in other works, said police. “In course of proper investigation, we are unable to make more statements on Bishalghar scam case now, the investigation is under progress on right track”, police said.