SCERT Scam: DIET employee arrested by CM Vigilance

Digital Desk: In connection with the Rs 105 crore State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) scam in Assam, in which Sewali Devi Sharma is the main suspect, the Chief Minister's Special Vigilance Cell made another arrest on Thursday.

CM Vigilance Cell detained Sonmoni Nath after questioning him about his involvement in the scam, according to the information gathered. Sonmoni Nath's employment at Assam's Barpeta's District Institution of Information and Training (DIET) Howly has come to light.

According to reports, Sonmoni Nath blackmailed Sewali Devi Sharma and demanded Rs 2 lakhs from her. Manoj Das is also now being questioned for his involvement in the scheme.

It should be mentioned that Sewali Devi Sharma admitted to having been blackmailed by several journalists and RTI workers during her questioning over the scandal.

For his suspected involvement in the Rs. 105 crore SCERT scam, Aam Aadmi Party leader Bidyut Kalita was suspended from the party on Thursday.

Also Read : Assam: Hailakandi BJP leader arrested on fraud charges

Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disclosed on Wednesday that up to 12 people, including journalists and RTI activists, were involved in the SCERT scam. As a result, the Chief Ministers' Special Vigilance Cell is now keeping a close eye on these individuals.

The chief minister added that money was directly transferred from the state treasury to the journalists' bank accounts.

In a statement to the media, CM Sarma stated, "Roughly 12 people have been discovered to be involved in the suspected SCERT scam. They are all RTI activists and journalists by profession. In the course of the investigation, it was also discovered that money had been transferred directly from the government's treasury to the personal bank accounts of journalists. According to media reports, at least one of them has a background in politics.