The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached immovable assets worth more than ₹5 crore as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation against former Assam excise secretary and IAS officer Indreswar Kalita in a disproportionate assets case.
The action has been taken under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following allegations that the former bureaucrat accumulated wealth far beyond his known sources of income during his tenure in public service.
Case Originates from Vigilance FIR
The investigation stems from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell (CMSVC) in Assam.
The vigilance agency had filed a chargesheet alleging that Kalita amassed assets that were disproportionate to his legitimate income during his years in government service.
According to the chargesheet, the alleged irregularities occurred during a check period between March 1, 2000, and December 31, 2018.
Read also: IAS Officers of 2025 Batch Visit DIET Leh to Understand Educational and Teacher Training Initiatives
Disproportionate Assets Allegation
Investigators have alleged that during the check period, Kalita possessed assets worth approximately ₹5.64 crore that were disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The ED stated that the value of the assets was 131.12 per cent higher than his known income during the period, indicating significant unexplained wealth.
Based on the vigilance investigation and financial analysis, the ED initiated a money laundering probe to trace the origin of the alleged illicit assets.
Six Properties Attached Under PMLA
As part of its investigation under the PMLA, the ED issued a provisional attachment order for six immovable properties linked to the case.
Among the properties attached is a prime property located on Zoo Road in Guwahati, which has been valued at approximately ₹5.64 crore.
These properties are suspected to have been acquired using funds generated through alleged illegal means.
Properties Allegedly Held in Names of Family Members
According to the central agency, Kalita allegedly acquired several immovable properties either in his own name or in the names of his wife and other family members.
Investigators claim that these purchases did not have corresponding legitimate sources of income.
The ED further alleged that certain transactions were structured in a way that concealed the true ownership and origin of the funds used for purchasing the properties.
Alleged Undervaluation of Property Transactions
The investigation has also pointed to possible undervaluation in property registration documents.
According to the ED, the properties were registered in sale deeds at lower declared values, while the actual cash involved in the transactions was significantly higher.
Such practices, investigators claim, were allegedly used to hide the real value of the properties and obscure beneficial ownership of the assets.
Ongoing Investigation
The provisional attachment of the properties forms part of the ED’s broader probe into alleged money laundering linked to the disproportionate assets case.
Further investigation is underway to determine the financial trail, sources of funds, and the involvement of other individuals or entities connected to the transactions.
