Guwahati: Assam police arrested former Congress leader and land broker Anowar Hussain after seizing cash and cheques worth over Rs 1.5 crore during a high-profile operation in Guwahati.
A Basistha Police Station team carried out a targeted raid based on specific intelligence. Police arrested three others alongside Hussain. They recovered more than Rs 50 lakh in cash and cheques totaling nearly Rs 1 crore, reportedly issued in the names of multiple third parties.
Sources said police caught Hussain while he was on his way to facilitate a financial transaction involving the seized money. Investigators have not disclosed the exact charges yet. Senior officers indicated that the scale of the recovery suggests a larger financial network.
Hussain commands influence in Lower Assam, especially in Dhubri district, where he has been active politically and commercially. He transitioned from a Congress leader to a major player in real estate and land brokerage, with business across Dhubri and Guwahati.
Police sources said Hussain has past associations with individuals accused in major white-collar crimes. He maintains close ties with R.H. Khan, a key accused in the multi-crore North Cachar Hills (Dima Hasao) scam, one of Assam’s biggest financial scandals.
Investigators are examining Hussain’s extensive assets. Locals claim he owns vast land, luxury flats, and commercial properties in Lower Assam and Guwahati. Police have not released official valuations, but sources estimate his net worth at several hundred crores.
The probe also highlighted Hussain’s social and business connections. Sources said Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), visited Hussain’s residence a few months ago. Police clarified they have not established a direct link, but the revelation intensified public scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Guwahati Police continue questioning Hussain and the others. They aim to trace the source of the funds, identify beneficiaries named on the cheques, and determine whether the money links to illegal transactions. Officials warned that further arrests and disclosures may follow as the investigation progresses.