Guwahati, February 14 – The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office, has provisionally attached properties worth ₹8.94 crore under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with a case of disproportionate assets against a former Assam government official and his wife, officials said on Saturday.
According to the ED, the attached assets include immovable properties valued at ₹8.90 crore located in the Guwahati and Goalpara districts, along with movable assets worth ₹3.71 lakh.
The action has been taken against Akhtar Hussain, the then Divisional Soil Conservation Officer of the Cachar Soil Conservation Division, Silchar, and his wife Dr. Jasmine Rahman, a Senior Medical and Health Officer in Kamrup (Metro).
The money laundering investigation was initiated based on an FIR registered by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell of the Assam Police against Akhtar Hussain under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, for allegedly possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The charge sheet filed by the Special Vigilance Cell revealed that during the check period between April 9, 2003 and February 28, 2023, Akhtar Hussain allegedly amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of ₹8.97 crore. This amounted to nearly 191.5 per cent more than his declared income during the period, the ED said.
Further financial investigation by the agency revealed that the accused and his wife had acquired multiple immovable properties by making payments substantially higher than the registered values shown in the sale deeds, thereby allegedly concealing the actual proceeds of crime.
The accused failed to satisfactorily explain the source of large cash amounts used for purchasing these properties, officials said.
The probe also revealed that several properties were registered in the names of family members to create layers of concealment. Assets acquired through the alleged proceeds of crime were reportedly used to generate regular rental income.
Additionally, cash deposits of ₹11.91 lakh were found in Akhtar Hussain's bank accounts, while deposits of ₹59.89 lakh were traced to his wife's accounts. The ED said further investigation in the case is underway.