The Assam Cabinet on Friday decided to hand over all 32 cases related to the recent online trading scam, registered across the state this month, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that these cases involve fraudulent stock trading schemes that have led to massive financial losses for numerous investors. “Illegal operators exploited these funds for their personal gains, and now, the CBI will take over all investigations,” Sarma stated.
He mentioned that during a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, Shah suggested handing over the cases to the central agency. Sarma added, “The process will take about a month, during which Assam Police will continue their investigations. Any future cases detected will also be transferred to the CBI.”
The scam, which began unraveling last month, came into the spotlight after Dipankar Barman, one of the key figures, went missing after allegedly collecting approximately ₹7,000 crore from investors. Assam Police’s CID had initially taken charge of the investigation, forming a Special Task Force (STF) and registering 32 cases while arresting at least 60 individuals involved in the scam.
One of the significant arrests was Bishal Phukan, a 22-year-old from Dibrugarh, who targeted high-profile individuals such as doctors, actors, and singers. Phukan reportedly splurged on luxury items, including extravagant weddings, foreign trips, and luxury vehicles, spending the scammed funds lavishly.
Among those involved were social media influencer Sumi Bora and her husband Tarkik Bora, who allegedly used their network to attract investors. After a 10-day manhunt, the couple was apprehended by the police on Thursday and is currently in custody.
