GUWAHATI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at multiple premises associated with retired IAS officer Sewali Devi Sharma in connection with a money laundering probe stemming from a disproportionate assets case.
The searches were conducted at eight locations linked to Sharma, who formerly held the post of Executive Chairman-cum-Director of the Assam State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). The case originates from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Assam Police following a directive from the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell.
Sharma was earlier charge-sheeted for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets worth ₹5.7 crore during her tenure. She has not issued a public statement regarding the ED action at the time of this report.
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Multiple Bank Accounts, No Sanctions
During her service, Sharma headed the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Cell under SCERT and was tasked with implementing the National Council for Teacher Education’s two-year Diploma in Elementary Education programme.
According to sources, she opened five bank accounts under the ODL Cell where she remained the sole signatory. This was allegedly done in violation of the Assam Financial Responsibility and Budget Management Act of 2005.
She reportedly collected over ₹115 crore in fees from more than one lakh trainees by expanding the number of study centres far beyond government approval. Of this amount, over ₹105 crore was spent without financial sanction from the state government.
Contracts to Family, No Work Done
Investigations have revealed that the expenditure was used for material supplies and services, often without following procurement protocols. Contracts were reportedly awarded without advertisements or tenders to individuals or entities connected to Sharma’s family and associates.
The ED claimed that payments were made in several cases despite no work being carried out or supplies delivered. Only two of the contracted parties were found to have the capacity to execute the orders.
Additionally, a chartered accountant, Sarang More, who served as the auditor for the ODL Cell, also received government-funded contracts.
The ED’s ongoing investigation focuses on whether these financial misappropriations form part of a larger pattern of corruption and money laundering within Assam’s education administration.