Assam CM vows stern action against ACS officer Nupur Borah in graft case

In what Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has described as the “biggest raid in the history of the CM’s Vigilance Cell,” the arrest of Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer Nupur Borah has sparked a storm in the state’s administrative circles.

The officer, who was serving as Circle Officer in Goraimari in Kamrup district, is accused of amassing assets nearly 400 times greater than her known sources of income.

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Searches at her Guwahati residence and rented accommodation in Barpeta unearthed a staggering haul—over Rs 92.5 lakh in cash and gold ornaments valued at nearly Rs 1.5 crore.

“This is not just about suspension or dismissal. We will ensure strict penal action through the legal process,” Sarma said while addressing a public programme in Baksa district.

According to officials, Borah had been under the scanner for over six months, especially after she allegedly authorised an illegal land transfer deal during her tenure in Barpeta.

Though transferred out of the district, she continued to be closely monitored. The breakthrough came after a preliminary inquiry confirmed disproportionate assets, prompting the raids.

Rosie Kalita, Senior Superintendent of Police of the CM’s Special Vigilance Cell, termed the recovery “unprecedented.” She noted that it is the largest single seizure of unaccounted cash by the vigilance team since its inception.

The development comes at a time when Sarma has sharpened his government’s anti-corruption drive. Since taking office in 2021, the Chief Minister has repeatedly promised a “zero-tolerance policy” towards graft, resulting in multiple arrests of government employees, including police personnel and senior bureaucrats.

“This case will be a milestone in Assam’s battle against corruption. We want to send a strong message that nobody—however powerful—is above the law,” Sarma asserted.

With investigations ongoing into Borah’s financial trail and possible links to other irregular land transactions, officials say more arrests and disciplinary actions may follow.