The recovery of Rs 13.45 crore hard cash from the house of a junior engineer by CBI, probing the multi-crore rupees North Cachar Hills scam, has increased the expectation of the people of the hills in anticipation that culprits responsible of siphoning of public money meant for their development would be nailed down but CBI has been given limited mandate to probe specific charges of misappropriation of about Rs 32 crore only in the five departments of the council.
Disclosing that Central Bureau of Investigation was allowed six specific cases of anomalies, which had come to the notice of National Investigation Agency, for investigation, the security sources pointed out that agency could register cases in five references only as anti-corruption cell of the Assam police had registered the case in misappropriation of fund in the DRDA.
Informing that CBI can not investigate the alleged Rs 1000 crore scam of NC Hills, security sources said that FIR registered by CBI on the basis of the recommendation of NIA has restricted the mandate of CBI to probe the scam of NC Hills.
In fact, CBI has registered FIR in five cases relating to corruption in North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. These cases are against, officers of PWD, public health engineering, social welfare, agriculture and soil conservation departments and contractors.
Referring the copy of the FIR which is considered to be the basis of investigation, security sources pointed out that if total amount of alleged misappropriation being probed by CBI is added together, the agency has been asked to probe a scam of Rs 32 crore only. Though, there have been charges of misappropriation of nearly Rs 1000 crore in all the departments of the district council.
The security sources, also expert in legal issues, said that CBI may recommend further investigation but it can not probe outside the purview of the FIR.
Sources in the legal cell of CBI also admitted the facts and clarified that CBI should not be blamed if culprits sitting in the corridors of power are not booked. To probe the nexus of R.H. Khan with politicians, the CBI will have to register a separate case which is not allowed as premier investigating agency has been tasked to probe the misappropriation committed by Khan only.
Security sources asserted that the all the culprits of North Cachar Hills Hills scam can not be brought to book.