After bringing the issue in headline of every communication medium, the opposition sought CBI probe into the incident of multi-crore scam in the block. They have also filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in High Court of Tripura seeking CBI investigation to the issue.

An internal audit report of Bishalgarh RD Block at the newly-created Sipahijala District of Tripura exposed misappropriation of Rs. 17 crore without executing works against work orders issued under MGNREGA, and other projects. Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee, first brought the multi-crore scam incident into light on September 18. Being pressurized from the oppositions, within 24 hours, incumbent Bishalgarh Block Development Officer – Subrata Das lodged FIR with Bishalgarh Police Station against 12 block officials in connection to the scam. One month after lodging the FIR, prime accused Bimal Chakraborty was suspended from his post of Deputy Director at the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs. On October 23, he surrendered himself before the police. Priyanka Deb Barman tries to find out how civil servants keep giving in to corruption and how justice stayed at bay in the last left ruled state.

Official sources said that the FIR did not contain names of the then District Magistrate of Sipahijala – KD Choudhury and Sub Divisional Magistrate of Bishalgarh – Tamal Majumder.

With the motive of saving the party image, thousands of ruling party workers and supporters headed by incumbent Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha reportedly hit the streets of Bishalgarh on September 20 in demand of arrest of scamster – Bimal Chakraborty for his involvement in the issue.

The very day, the Left Front government placed him under suspension from his post of Deputy Director of Information and Cultural Affairs Department since one month of lodging FIR against him.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar did not utter a single word on the issue, rather preferred to hide his white kurta from being immolated. As a part of face saving exercise, a letter was issued from Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) clarifying his ignorance of the audit record. Besides Congress, the main opposition party in the Left regime, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mounted pressure on the government by surrounding Bishalgarh Police Station for immediate arrest of Bimal.

Leader of the Opposition – Sudip Roy Barman alleged that lack of assistance from the side of Block Development Officer and District Magistrate is the prime reason of delaying the investigation. Dilemma in issuing search warrant by Bishalgarh Judicial Magistrate also adds to it.

Asked about the issue, Roy Barman said the stenographer of the judicial magistrate is the wife of Kamal Chakraborty, top official of the state police and elder brother of Bimal Chakraborty.

Priyanka Deb Barman