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Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi Demands PM Modi Probe ₹70 Crore Assam Apex Bank Scandal

By AT News |

Congress MP and Lok Sabha Deputy Opposition Leader Gaurav Gogoi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding an investigation into alleged financial irregularities worth approximately ₹70 crore at the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank. According to Gogoi, the scandal involves an outsider businessman, Rajesh Bajaj, who is accused of misappropriating around ₹20 crore, along with an additional ₹50 crore irregularities under the guise of a tender for a data storage system. Gogoi has urged the Prime Minister to order an independent probe into the matter.

In a post on his official X handle, Gogoi stated, “I have written a letter to Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji regarding the need to investigate financial irregularities at Apex Bank, as the state government is busy arresting people and intimidating Assamese media.” The letter also mentions the arrest of journalist Dilawar Hussain Mazumdar, which Gogoi cites as an example of misuse of power by the Assam Police. He alleges that Mazumdar was arrested on March 25 while protesting against the Apex Bank scandal, highlighting an attempt to suppress press freedom.

The letter details that Mazumdar, a journalist with Cross Current, was gathering news about a protest outside the bank and had approached bank director Dombaru Shaikia for comments. However, Panbazar Police Station arrested him without any justification. Although he was later released on bail, he was rearrested on charges of robbery and unauthorized entry into the bank. Gogoi claims this is a deliberate effort to stifle media independence.

Gogoi further alleges that the bank’s director, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and chairman, BJP MLA Biswajit Phukan, are overseeing this scandal. He claims that since June 2024, the bank has been working with an IT businessman without a formal contract, and the cost of banking infrastructure has risen from ₹28 crore in 2018 to ₹50 crore in 2025. Additionally, suspicions have been raised over ₹14 crore allegedly transferred to KPMG under questionable circumstances.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while campaigning for the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections in Boko on Friday, criticized the opposition, stating that the NDA government has freed itself from the burdens of corruption, chaos, and criminal patronage. He claimed that Assam has set new benchmarks for development under NDA rule.
Gogoi has called on the Prime Minister for an immediate financial audit of the scandal, an investigation into managerial misconduct, and intervention to protect the fundamental rights of journalists and citizens.

 

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