ED Attaches Assets Worth Over ₹5 Crore Linked to Former Assam IAS Officer Indreswar Kalita in Money Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth over ₹5 crore linked to former Assam IAS officer Indreswar Kalita in a disproportionate assets case, alleging wealth far beyond his known sources of income.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable assets valued at more than ₹5 crore belonging to former Assam IAS officer Indreswar Kalita, as part of its ongoing investigation into a disproportionate assets case. The action has been taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following allegations that the former bureaucrat amassed wealth far beyond his known sources of income during his tenure in public service.
Case Origin and Vigilance Action
The probe originates from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell (CMSVC) in Assam. The vigilance agency had earlier submitted a chargesheet alleging that Kalita accumulated assets disproportionate to his legitimate income between March 1, 2000, and December 31, 2018.
According to investigators, Kalita allegedly possessed assets worth approximately ₹5.64 crore, which were calculated to be 131.12% higher than his known sources of income during the check period.
ED’s Findings and Property Attachments
Based on the vigilance report and financial analysis, the ED initiated a money laundering probe to trace the origin of the alleged illicit wealth. As part of this investigation, the agency issued a provisional attachment order for six immovable properties linked to Kalita.
Among the attached assets is a prime property located on Zoo Road in Guwahati, valued at approximately ₹5.64 crore. The ED suspects that these properties were acquired using funds generated through illegal means and were allegedly held either in Kalita’s name or in the names of his wife and other family members.
Allegations of Concealment and Undervaluation
Investigators claim that several transactions were structured to conceal the true ownership and origin of the funds used for purchasing the properties. The ED further alleged that the properties were registered at undervalued rates in official sale deeds, while the actual cash involved in the transactions was significantly higher.
Such practices, according to the agency, were allegedly employed to obscure the real value of the properties and disguise beneficial ownership.
Ongoing Investigation
The attachment of assets is part of the ED’s broader probe into alleged money laundering linked to the disproportionate assets case. The agency is continuing its investigation to establish the financial trail, identify the sources of funds, and determine the involvement of other individuals or entities connected to the transactions.
Officials indicated that further action may follow once the investigation uncovers additional evidence regarding the alleged illicit wealth.
