18 hrs ago
Assam Official Arrested Over Alleged Scam Using Mimicry Artists
Debeswar Sharma, an Assam government official, has been arrested over an alleged cheating case.
Investigators say he promised people government contracts in exchange for money.
They allege that he used mimicry artists to sound like senior government officials during phone calls.
This made people believe he had powerful government connections.
One businessman said he paid Rs 10 lakh and was asked for more money.
Two business owners also said they lost about Rs 2.5 crore.
Police found many SIM cards and documents during searches.
They are still working out how much money was involved and whether other people were part of the operation.
Debeswar Sharma was arrested in an alleged multi-crore cheating and corruption case involving promised government contracts.
Investigators say mimicry artists impersonated the voices of Assam’s Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and other officials.
A businessman alleged he paid Rs 10 lakh for a contract and was later asked for another Rs 40 lakh.
Owners of two firms allegedly reported losses of about Rs 2.5 crore over promised government contracts.
Investigators recovered around 18 SIM cards and are examining documents, transactions and possible links to a wider network.
- Who
- Debeswar Sharma, an Assam government official, was arrested by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell.
- What
- He is accused of cheating people through promised government contracts and using mimicry artists to impersonate senior officials.
- Where
- Sharma was arrested in Dhemaji, taken to Guwahati, and searched at residences and an office in Dhemaji and Guwahati.
- When
- The case was reported by a businessman on May 30; Sharma was later arrested and placed in four days of police custody.
- Why
- Investigators allege that money was collected by falsely promising government contracts and creating the impression of access to senior officials.
Key facts
- Accused
- Debeswar Sharma
- Investigating agency
- Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell
- Initial complaint
- A businessman alleged paying Rs 10 lakh for a government contract and being asked for another Rs 40 lakh.
- Other alleged losses
- Owners of KK Enterprise and DB Enterprise reported losses of about Rs 2.5 crore.
- Recovered SIM cards
- Around 18 SIM cards were recovered; only one of nine cards found with the accused was registered in his name.
- Police custody
- Sharma was taken into four days of police custody after being produced in court.
- Investigation status
- Officials are examining the money trail, documents, SIM cards and possible wider links; the total amount remains under calculation.
Quotes
Rosy Kalita
Senior officer of the Assam Chief Minister's Special Vigilance Cell
“He would make calls in front of them - purportedly to senior government functionaries. From the other end, a mimicry artist or members of his team replied.”
NDTV
“When the businessman became suspicious, he refused to pay more and asked for a refund of his Rs 10 lakh.”
NDTV
Sources
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