Three officials accused in the alleged Assam Fisheries Development Corporation (AFDC) financial scam have been granted bail by a Special Judicial Magistrate’s Court, even as the ongoing investigation has brought to light fresh allegations of multi-crore financial irregularities within the corporation.
The court granted bail to Birinchi Adhikari, Padmakanta Hazarika and Jyotish Saikia, all of whom have been named in the case involving alleged financial misconduct in the state-run corporation.
According to sources, the accused secured bail partly due to alleged lapses in the investigation. It has been alleged that the investigating officer failed to inform the court about Dispur Police Station Case No. 298/2022, which is reportedly linked to the matter.
Sources further stated that Padmakanta Hazarika was granted relief on health grounds. He had earlier obtained bail from the Gauhati High Court in another case connected with the alleged scam.
Meanwhile, findings emerging from the investigation indicate that around Rs 7.14 crore belonging to the corporation was allegedly transferred to private bank accounts in violation of prescribed government financial norms.
Investigators suspect that large-scale irregularities took place between 2017 and 2021, during which crores of rupees were allegedly diverted to the personal accounts of employees, contractors and other individuals.
The transactions are reported to have occurred during the tenure of former AFDC chairman and Morigaon BJP MLA Ramakanta Deuri. The investigation has also led to allegations of collusion involving former officials, employees and contractors of the corporation in facilitating the alleged diversion of funds.
The case was initially registered at Dispur Police Station in 2022, and the investigation into the alleged financial misconduct is continuing.
