Auto-theft nexus: Assam MLA claims innocence

Guwahati: Assam’s controversial Congress MLA Rumi Nath, who has cases registered against her for alleged links with the arrested kingpin of a pan India auto theft gang and arms dealer Anil Chauhan on Monday  claimed that she was not absconding.
“I am not absconding. I am innocent. Seeking anticipatory bail does not mean I am guilty. If I am proved guilty, I am ready to go to prison,” Nath told reporters at her official residence in the MLA hostel here. Recent media reports here said the MLA from Borkhola in Cachar district has been absconding.
“I have no connection with Chauhan but only know his wife who was also a Congress worker. This is just a political conspiracy to defame me,” she said. “I have full faith in the law of the land and will cooperate with the police at every step,” the MLA said.
The Gauhati High Court has rejected two interim anticipatory bail applications of the MLA in connection with two cases in different police stations in the state. She filed for anticipatory bail for both cases on April nine following the arrest of her estranged second husband Jacky Zakir in connection with the car theft cases.
The main accused Chauhan was arrested on April 3 while Zakir was picked up on April 8 from his house at Badarpur in Karimganj district. Her Personal Security Officer Bedabrata Barpatra Gohain was also arrested here on the same day.
Police said it was found during investigation that Chauhan, wanted in a number of cases in Delhi and Mumbai besides other states, was issued Assembly car passes on the recommendation of the Congress MLA.
The Assembly Secretariat also issued a notice asking her why she recommended issuance of car passes to Chauhan. Police said one of the luxurious cars Zakir used was suspected to be a stolen one and sold by Chauhan to the MLA who allegedly ‘gifted’ it to Zakir. State Congress president Anjan Dutta also showcaused Nath for her alleged involvement with the car lifter.
The MLA had married Zakir in 2012 by converting to Islam and without divorcing her first husband. (PTI)