Guwahati, 23 May (HS):The bribery case involving ACS officer Lachit Kumar Das has taken a more serious turn after Vigilance and Anti-Corruption officials recovered over ₹1.17 crore in cash and a large quantity of gold ornaments during raids conducted at properties linked to the accused officer.

Sources said the cash was recovered from a flat belonging to Das’s sister-in-law, while officials also seized ₹50 lakh Cash and gold jewellery weighing more than 500 grams during the search operations. Investigators suspect that the recovered assets may be linked to disproportionate income and a detailed financial probe has now been launched.

Lachit Das, who served as Additional Land Records Officer in the Directorate of Land Records, was arrested on Thursday after allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹45,000. Vigilance officials had laid a trap following a complaint and reportedly caught him red-handed while taking the money.

Following his arrest, vigilance teams carried out searches at multiple locations associated with the officer. Officials stated that documents, financial records and other materials have also been seized for examination. Investigators are now trying to ascertain whether the recovered cash and valuables were accumulated through illegal means or linked to a larger corruption network.

The case has triggered strong reactions in administrative circles and once again brought the issue of corruption in government offices into focus. Vigilance authorities indicated that further legal action may follow based on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash