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Assam’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has opened a formal investigation into Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organiser behind the Northeast India Festival, over serious allegations of financial fraud, money laundering, and acquisition of benami properties. The probe follows intensive raids at his residence and office, where investigators seized a trove of incriminating materials.
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Raids Reveal Forged Documents and Seals
During searches conducted over two days, CID officials recovered multiple PAN cards registered under the same business entity, nearly 30 official stamp seals associated with various companies and government departments, and a host of documents connected to benami property holdings. Also seized were records tied to road construction projects under the PMGSY scheme in districts across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The presence of forged instruments and duplicate identity documents is being treated as strong evidence of financial manipulation and forgery.
FIR Registered, Case Launched under BNS
A detailed FIR was filed by Senior Superintendent of Police Ashif Ahmed outlining the seizures and listing possible offences including forgery, misappropriation of funds, illegal acquisition of property, and cheating. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The CID has assigned Additional SP Moramee Das to lead the investigation, which includes freezing Mahanta’s assets and scrutinising all linked transactions and properties.
Possible Misuse of Public Funds
Investigators believe Mahanta may have diverted government funds, falsified official documents, and manipulated state contracts to weave his financial network. The discovery of sealed documents relating to PMGSY projects adds a layer of suspicion regarding potential misuse of public infrastructure funds.
As this case unfolds, it may expand beyond financial wrongdoing to include corruption and conspiracy across state lines. Mahanta’s role in cultural events and prior investigations related to the death of artist Zubeen Garg further complicate the matter, making the current probe a focal point of public and legal interest.
