Guwahati: Debeswar Bora, an Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer, allegedly used a mimicry artist to impersonate political leaders, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and senior bureaucrats over the phone while dealing with people seeking government jobs and contracts.
Bora, 1999-batch ACS officer who serves as Dhemaji District Development Commissioner (DDC), was arrested by the Assam Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell on Monday for alleged “criminal misconduct”. The arrest followed a search of his official residence in Dhemaji on September 7 as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities and suspected possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
According to reports, Bora allegedly collected money from people by promising government jobs and contracts. His alleged modus operandi involved a middleman skilled in mimicking different voices.
The middleman allegedly telephoned job and contract seekers while impersonating Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and other senior officials, creating the impression that Bora had access to senior political and administrative figures and could facilitate their demands.
The alleged arrangement reportedly came under scrutiny after Bora dealt with a politician-businessman in the district.
The Vigilance Cell conducted searches at locations in Dhemaji and Guwahati on Monday as part of the investigation. A Vigilance Cell official said the searches were conducted on the basis of a complaint and that Bora was arrested after his Dhemaji residence was searched and he was interrogated.
The Vigilance Cell has not disclosed further details about the operation.
“All aspects of his criminal misconduct against many people are being investigated,” the official said.
The investigation is also looking into allegations that Bora misused his official position and amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.