Gauhati HC directs CBI to probe former Assam DGP accused in land grabbing case

The case dates back to 2010 when a complaint of land grabbing was filed at Paltan Bazar police station. Former DGP Sharma and his wife were named as accused in the charge sheet filed in 2014.

Published on: Jun 7, 2019, 16:18:41 IST

Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

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The Gauhati High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe a case of land grabbing in which a former Assam Director General of Police (DGP) is an accused.

The Central Bureau of Investigation jointly serves as a national security agency and intelligence agency. (AFP Photo) (AFP/ File photo)

The court ordered the central agency to investigate the role of Khagen Sharma and his wife Bandana Sharma in a case of land grabbing at a prime location in Guwahati.

Though the court order was passed last month, it was made available to the CBI counsel only this week. The state police, which was probing the case earlier, are yet to hand over records related to the case to CBI.

Expressing concern that Assam Police had failed to conduct a proper investigation into the case, a single judge bench of the HC directed the CBI to take charge of the probe.

The case dates back to 2010 when a complaint of land grabbing was filed at Paltan Bazar police station. Former DGP Sharma and his wife were named as accused in the charge sheet filed in 2014.

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Unhappy with the slow pace of investigation into the case, several petitioners approached the court.

In its order, the court observed that there was a nexus between some government officials, including those from the police, with criminals to grab prime property in Guwahati.

Sharma, who was appointed as DGP in January 2014, had retired in November, 2015.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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