GUWAHATI: Police teams investigating the sub-inspector exam paper leak case in Assam have launched raids into the residence and hotels of a former deputy inspector general of police (DIG) who is alleged to be linked to the case and reportedly absconding.
The investigation by teams of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Crime Branch of Assam Police is on full swing with raids carried out at the Hengerabari residence of former Assam DIG, Prasanta Kumar Dutta from late Wednesday evening till the wee hours of Thursday.
Some items were reported to have been collected/seized by the investigation team even as the investigation officials refrained from disclosing any details before the media about the items seized.
Sources said an investigation team comprising about 30 police personnel resumed the raid on the former police officer’s residence on Thursday morning besides carrying out another search in a lodge in the Ganeshguri area.
Three of the former DIG’s hotels in the city were also raided on Wednesday, sources said.
The CID and Crime Branch of Assam Police had on Wednesday picked up three persons, including a woman, in connection with the case.
The exam for 597 posts of sub-inspectors in the state police force had just commenced across 154 centres last Sunday noon when it had to be cancelled after the alleged leak of the question paper on social media came to the fore.
About 66,000 candidates had appeared for the exam.
Taking cognizance of the development, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal had ordered an inquiry into the case on Sunday to investigate if any vested interest group conspired to derail the recruitment process taken up by the state government and ensure strict action against the guilty.
Sonowal also directed the chairman of State Level Police Recruitment Board, Pradeep Kumar to conduct a re-examination within one month.