ED Seizes Rs 8.94 Crore Assets in Assam Disproportionate Assets Case
Guwahati: In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Guwahati zone, has seized movable and immovable properties valued at Rs 8.94 crore in Guwahati and Goalpara, Assam. This action, carried out on Saturday, targets a disproportionate assets case involving Akhtar Hussain, a former divisional soil conservation officer, and his wife Jasmine Rahman, a senior medical and health officer.
Legal Framework and Investigation Details
The seizure was executed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, following an extensive investigation. According to an ED press release issued on Saturday, the probe was initiated based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the chief minister’s special vigilance cell against Hussain. The FIR invoked Sections 13 (1) (b) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, alleging possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.
Disproportionate Assets and Financial Findings
The chargesheet filed by the vigilance cell revealed that during the check period from April 9, 2003, to August 28, 2023, Hussain possessed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, amounting to Rs 8.97 crore. This sum constitutes a staggering 191.50% of his legitimate earnings, highlighting severe financial irregularities.
ED’s financial investigation uncovered that Hussain and his wife acquired multiple immovable properties during this period. Payments made for these properties were substantially higher than the registered values shown in sale deeds, a tactic used to conceal the actual deployment of proceeds of crime. Additionally, several properties were registered in the names of family members, creating multiple layers of concealment to obscure the illicit origins of the assets.
Utilization of Proceeds of Crime
The press release further detailed that properties acquired through proceeds of crime were leveraged to generate monthly rental income. Cash deposits aggregating to Rs 11.91 lakh were made into Akhtar Hussain’s bank accounts, while Rs 59.89 lakh was deposited into his wife Jasmine Rahman’s accounts, indicating systematic money laundering activities.
Ongoing Investigation
The ED has stated that further investigation is continuing to trace additional proceeds of crime and identify other assets linked to this case. This seizure underscores the agency’s commitment to combating financial crimes and corruption in the region, with a focus on ensuring accountability and transparency in public service.
