GUWAHATI: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recovered over Rs 64 lakh in cash and 21 blank signed cheques during raids conducted as part of an investigation into the Bajali extortion case.
Addressing the press on Friday, Special Director General of Police Harmeet Singh revealed that so far, the CID has recovered Rs 64, 29, 500 in cash and 23 cheques, including 21 blank ones signed by a businessman, Rabiul Islam’s mother.
According to Singh, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 2.5 crore from Islam, of which he paid Rs 10 lakh in cash to one Superintendent of Police, along with the cheques for the remaining amount. The businessman also handed over two expensive laptops, one of which has been recovered by the police.
So far, 10 accused, including high-ranking police officers, have been arrested in connection to the case since September 3.
Among those arrested are an IPS officer serving as the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Bajali district, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and two sub-inspectors of police. Singh hinted that more individuals might face arrest as the investigation unfolds.
The department, however, is yet to figure out the motive behind the extortion demand and is taking the help of the forensic department to uncover it. Singh said that four sets of fingerprints have been found in a suitcase containing some of the recovered cash and the evidence is currently getting examined.
He also informed that forensic psychology experts from the National Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar have interrogated the accused, and their report is expected soon.
Singh also informed that Islam had filed a complaint about the alleged extortion attempt to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption on August 9, submitting audio recordings to support his case. However, local police picked him up and allegedly subjected him to physical harassment after a drug raid at his residence yielded no results.
Subsequently, the vigilance wing swung into action and reported Islam’s complaint to police headquarters, leading to the CID registering the case on August 31. Investigators are also looking into reports that a former police officer provided information about Islam to the now-arrested SP.
Singh also added that investigation in the case is ongoing and with the forensic and circumstantial evidence, the department is building a comprehensive case.
