New Delhi, Nov 19 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office, on Wednesday said it recently conducted searches at six locations in Guwahati, Kokrajhar, Tezpur, and New Delhi as part of an ongoing investigation into a case involving the alleged supply of goods against fake purchase orders issued in the name of Autonomous Councils like Dima Hasao and Mising.
The suspects included Rishiraj Kaundinya, Biju Das, Mukesh Jain, and others.
“During search operations, the ED seized Rs 14.5 lakh in cash and issued bank account freezing orders for balances totaling Rs 13.68 lakh,” an official said.
Two luxury cars and a deed of land sale agreement valued at Rs 65 lakh, suspected to be linked to the Proceeds of Crime (PoC), were seized. Details of numerous other properties owned and controlled by the key accused, along with various incriminating documents and digital evidence, were also recovered.
The ED investigation revealed that Rishiraj Kaundinya, along with associates Mukesh Jain, Biju Das, and others, operated a well-organized criminal conspiracy.
The group allegedly fabricated government documents, including fake supply orders, forged signatures, forged cheques, and false payment clearance notes purportedly issued by the Mising and Dima Hasao Autonomous Councils.
This was done to induce suppliers with high-value fraudulent orders for items such as blankets, tarpaulins, dyed cotton yarn, solar equipment, and large infrastructure projects.
The accused allegedly extracted large commission payments in advance as a condition for awarding and processing the supply orders. This was followed by the diversion and unauthorized unloading of goods, resulting in a complete non-payment to the suppliers.
This scheme has resulted in large-scale non-payment to the tune of Rs 9.86 crore to suppliers against these fake orders. The accused also illegally received substantial commissions amounting to Rs 2.04 crore tied to the fraudulent orders.
Further investigation is in progress to identify the Proceeds of Crime, attach properties, and facilitate restitution to the rightful owners through due process.
