Guwahati Special Court Delivers Sentences in APSC Recruitment Scam
Guwahati, July 29, 2024: The special court in Guwahati has delivered sentences in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) recruitment scam. Today, Rakesh Paul, an APSC member, was sentenced to 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 2 lakh. Fellow APSC members Basanta Kumar Doley and Samedur Rahman received 10 years of rigorous imprisonment each and fines up to Rs 2 lakh.
Additionally, the court sentenced 29 other accused candidates to four years of imprisonment each, with fines up to Rs 10,000. Rakesh Paul was convicted under four different sections, according to informed sources. Last week, the special court in Guwahati convicted these 29 Agriculture Development Officers (ADOs), along with APSC members Rakesh Kumar Paul, Basanta Kumar Doley, and Samedur Rahman.
This is the first instance in Assam’s history where such a large number of officers were sentenced to prison on the same day for corruption while serving as public servants. The case revolves around the fraudulent ADO recruitment process conducted in 2013 during Rakesh Paul’s tenure as Chairman of the APSC. The accused obtained their positions in exchange for bribes.
Out of the 44 individuals charged, the court earlier acquitted 11 due to insufficient documentary evidence. Special court judge Deepak Thakuria has mandated judicial custody for all 29 convicted officials. The defendants, once esteemed figures in the state’s agricultural development sector, broke down in tears upon hearing the verdict.
Also read: World Nature Conservation Day: A Call to Protect Our Planet
