Guwahati: A complaint lodged by businessman Romen Chandra Barthakur on May 30, 2026, has emerged as the starting point of the investigation that led to the arrest of Dhemaji District Development Commissioner and 1999-batch Assam Civil Service officer Debeswar Bora on allegations of criminal misconduct, misuse of official position and possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.
According to the complaint, Bora allegedly promised Barthakur a government contract worth around ₹50 crore and sought ₹10 lakh as earnest money in connection with the proposed work.
As per the statement of Superintendent of Police of the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell, Roji Kalita, Barthakur transferred the alleged ₹10 lakh to a bank account provided to him for depositing the money. However, when further payments were allegedly sought, Barthakur reportedly refused to make additional payments and instead proposed making any legitimate payment through a demand draft.
After the proposal was allegedly not accepted, Barthakur sought the return of the ₹10 lakh. When the money was reportedly not returned, he approached the Special Vigilance Cell, leading to an investigation into the transaction.
The investigation reportedly found that the account into which the money had been transferred was not a government account, but an account associated with a private firm named KK Enterprises.
Investigators subsequently examined another firm, DB Enterprises, and reportedly found financial transactions linked to the allegations. Persons associated with the two firms were questioned, and according to the Vigilance Cell, they also allegedly told investigators that they had paid substantial amounts of money in connection with government contract-related assurances.
Investigators are also examining allegations that businessmen were made to believe that Bora had access to senior political and administrative officials.
According to the Vigilance Cell, phone calls were allegedly made in the presence of businessmen to create an impression of contact with “big people”. Investigators have further alleged that a mimicry artist was used to imitate the voices of senior officials, including the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary, during phone conversations.
The alleged purpose, according to investigators, was to create the impression that Bora had influential connections at the highest levels of the government and could facilitate government contracts or other official work.
The Vigilance Cell subsequently conducted searches at multiple locations in Dhemaji and Guwahati. Bora’s residence in Dhemaji was searched before he was questioned and later arrested.
The investigation into the allegations is continuing. The claims against Bora, including those concerning the alleged collection of money, use of a mimicry artist and financial transactions, remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
