Agartala:
A major financial irregularity has come to light at the Biodiversity Board’s Gurkhabasti office, leading to the detention of a staff member accused of forging official signatures to siphon off government funds. The accused, identified as Surajit Chakraborty, a multi-task staffer, was taken into custody by police following allegations of forging the signature of Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) Dasu Chakma.
According to initial findings, the misappropriated amount is estimated to be around Rs 3.5 lakh. However, investigators suspect the fraud could be significantly larger, with preliminary assessments indicating the total could range between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 25 lakh. Authorities have initiated a comprehensive probe to determine the exact scale of the financial misconduct.
Police sources said the case came to light after discrepancies were noticed in official financial transactions. The irregularities prompted a formal complaint, following which officers from the New Capital Complex Police Station launched an investigation. Acting swiftly, they detained Chakraborty and began questioning him to trace the flow of funds and identify possible lapses in oversight.
Investigators are currently examining financial records, vouchers, and other official documents to establish how the alleged forgery was carried out and whether standard checks were bypassed. The focus is also on identifying any systemic weaknesses that may have enabled the fraud to go undetected for a period of time.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the department, raising concerns over internal controls and accountability mechanisms. Officials have not ruled out the possibility of more individuals being involved, either directly or indirectly, and have indicated that the investigation will explore all angles.
Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty. They also reiterated their commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that appropriate measures will be introduced to prevent similar incidents in the future.
