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Guwahati: Former Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta has resigned from his post as the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), citing moral reasons.
Mahanta stepped down after the commission received RTI applications asking for information related to his brother Shyamkanu Mahanta, who was arrested in the Zubeen Garg death case.
Mahanta, who became CIC in 2023 after retiring as DGP earlier that year, submitted his resignation to the Governor at Raj Bhawan on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Mahanta said, “On November 4, someone informed me that they would file an RTI about government help given to my brother. I felt it was right to protect the dignity of the office. So, I decided to resign on moral grounds.”
He also said, “I had already told the top officials that if such a situation arose, I would resign, and the Chief Minister’s Office had agreed.”
Shyamkanu Mahanta, who organized the North East India Festival in Singapore, was arrested by the Assam Police Special Investigation Team (SIT). Zubeen Garg was scheduled to perform at the event on September 20. Shyamkanu is now in Baksa district jail along with six others arrested in the case.
Mahanta made it clear that his decision to resign was his own choice and not influenced by anyone.
