Ready for CBI probe into LOC scam: Mahanta

Former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Thursday said he was prepared to face a CBI probe into the multi-crore LOC scandal alleged against him.

Former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta on Thursday said he was prepared to face a CBI probe into the multi-crore LOC scandal alleged against him.

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"I am not afraid of any probe. Let there be a fresh CBI probe and the truth will be revealed", Mahanta, a two-time chief minister, told reporters in Guwahati.

Mahanta was reacting to a recent statement by Gogoi accusing him of being involved in the multi crore scandal and escaping conviction "through the back door".

The Rs 400 crore scam concerning purchase of land by the veterinary department was unearthed in the 1990s when Mahanta was chief minister. The CBI found a prima facie case against him but the then governor S K Sinha refused prosecution permission citing technical reasons.

The former chief minister claimed that the LOC scandal did not figure first during his regime but had come to light during the Congress rule by former CM Hiteswar Saikia.

"If there is a probe then the involvement of Congress leaders will come to light and I do not think Gogoi has the courage to do so", he said.