From Rising Star to Corruption Scandal: The Fall of Assam Officer Nupur Bora

An Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer arrested on charges of possessing disproportionate assets had accumulated wealth estimated at 400 times her known sources of income, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed Tuesday. Nupur Bora, a 2019-batch ACS officer from Golaghat district, was detained by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell following raids that uncovered over ₹92 lakh in cash and jewellery valued at nearly ₹2 crore, marking the largest cash seizure by the cell to date.

Bora, who joined service just six years ago, was serving as Circle Officer in Kamrup district's Goraimari revenue circle at the time of her arrest. The case, the 25th registered by the vigilance cell, stems from allegations of corruption in land dealings, highlighting ongoing efforts to curb graft in revenue administration amid concerns over demographic shifts in minority-dominated areas.

Raids conducted Monday at Bora's Guwahati residence in Gotanagar and a rented accommodation in Barpeta recovered the illicit assets, including diamonds and gold ornaments. Investigators also identified two plots and three flats registered in her name in Guwahati, with preliminary probes linking her to illegal land transfers during her tenure as Circle Officer in Barpeta. Bora had been under surveillance for six months after complaints surfaced of her authorising suspicious inter-community land deals, prompting her transfer from the district.

A related search targeted Surajit Deka, a Lat Mandal at Barpeta's revenue office and alleged accomplice, accused of acquiring multiple properties in collusion with Bora. Local activist group Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, led by MLA Akhil Gogoi, had filed a complaint detailing a "rate card" for bribes ranging from ₹1,500 for land maps to ₹2 lakh for record alterations.

Sarma, speaking to reporters in the Baksa district, emphasised pursuing penal measures beyond mere suspension or dismissal to ensure accountability through legal channels. "We think that not just suspension or dismissal from the job would suffice. We have to ensure penal measures through the legal process," he stated, noting several others are under questioning.

The Chief Minister linked the scandal to broader issues of corruption in revenue circles, referencing a recent cabinet-approved standard operating procedure mandating police clearance for inter-religious land transactions to safeguard national security and demographic balance—a concern echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent Assam visit.

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Senior Superintendent of Police Rosie Kalita of the vigilance cell described the arrest as based on a preliminary inquiry, with investigations ongoing to uncover further assets. "These are all preliminary findings," she said, adding that the probe may yield additional recoveries. Sarma urged the public to remain vigilant and report bribe demands, underscoring the government's commitment to transparency. The case aligns with Assam's intensified anti-corruption drive, including new protocols to prevent unauthorised land deals amid fears of illegal immigration impacts.

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