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Published : Oct 1, 2020, 2:16 PM IST

ETV Bharat / state

Top suspect in Assam recruitment scam surrenders

The prime accused in Assam police recruitment scam, Diban Deka from BJP has surrendered before the police. Over 20 people have been arrested so far.

Diban Deka
Diban Deka

Guwahati: BJP leader and one of the prime accused in Assam police recruitment scam, Diban Deka, has surrendered before the police in the state's Barpeta district.

Deka, who, along with former DIG PK Dutta, had been absconding since the scam came to light, surrendered on Wednesday night in Pathacharkuchi area, a police officer said.

A team of police led by the Assam Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) GP Singh brought the accused to Guwahati.

Meanwhile, the BJP has suspended Deka from the primary membership of the party on Thursday.

Examination to recruit unarmed sub-inspectors was cancelled on September 20, minutes after it began, as the question paper was found to have been leaked on social media.

There is no clarity yet on whether he was arrested or surrendered along with his wife at Patacharkuchi police station.

Over 20 people have been arrested in this connection.

State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB) chairman Pradeep Kumar subsequently resigned on September 27 taking "moral responsibility" for the leak.

Police had issued lookout notices and announced an award of Rs one lakh each for any information which could lead to the arrest of Deka and Dutta.

Read:92 mistakes in answer keys of 21 subjects in Assam civil services exam

Deka was questioned by the CID after the scam had surfaced, but was allowed to go as there was "no circumstantial evidence against him".Shortly after, he went missing. On September 24, however, he took to Facebook to claim that his life was in danger.

Deka said he was involved with the "company" which was responsible for conducting the exam.

He identified himself as the national executive member of the BJP's Kisan Morcha and said he would not do anything to bring disrepute to the saffron party.

He also said that he had flagged the leak after receiving a copy of the question paper on WhatsApp.

Deka said he has "left Assam fearing for his life". He further said that he might get killed anytime as many big and corrupt officials are involved in the scam.

Also Read:Bring Assam CM into probe net of police exam paper leak: KMSS

Added with Agency inputs

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