By News Desk

Copyright thelogicalindian

Assam Civil Services (ACS) officer and Revenue Circle Officer Nupur Bora was arrested on September 15 after the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell (SVC) raided her residences in Guwahati and Barpeta, seizing Rs 92 lakh in cash and jewellery worth nearly Rs 1.7 crore.

The operation followed six months of surveillance triggered by allegations of illegal land transfers and corruption during her tenure in Barpeta district. Bora is accused of facilitating the unlawful registration of government and religious land in favour of suspected illegal settlers.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities searching multiple locations and probing Bora’s associates, including a land mandal implicated in related dealings.

Details of the Raid and Seizures

The raid was conducted early on the morning of September 15 at Bora’s flat in Gotanagar, Guwahati, continuing to other premises linked to her, including a rented house in Barpeta. Officials from the Chief Minister’s Vigilance Cell recovered Rs 92,50,400 in cash and gold and diamond jewellery valued close 1.7 crore to Rs 2 crore. Authorities also scrutinised bank lockers registered in Bora’s name across Barpeta and Golaghat districts.

The operation was preceded by discreet surveillance and was timed to coincide with Bora’s return from a short trip to Arunachal Pradesh. According to Superintendent of Police Rosy Kalita, who led the raid, the recovered assets form only a part of the ongoing investigation, with further seizures and arrests likely. The seized cash and jewellery are currently under forensic counting and evaluation with assistance from the State Bank of India.

Allegations of Illegal Land Transfers and Corruption

Bora, who joined Assam Civil Service in 2019 and was recently posted as the Circle Officer in Goroimari, Kamrup district, faces allegations of large-scale corruption, including illegal land allocation in Barpeta district. The Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, accused her of facilitating the transfer of Hindu-owned government and Satra land to persons of doubtful nationality, referred to as ‘Miya’, a politically sensitive term describing Bengali-speaking Muslims often labelled by the ruling party as illegal settlers from Bangladesh.

The charges include maintaining a “rate card” for various land-related services, with bribe amounts ranging from ₹1,500 for simple services to ₹2 lakh for altering land records, as highlighted in complaints filed by local activists. Besides Bora, the SVC has also targeted Surajit Deka, a land mandal in Barpeta, alleged to have colluded with her in these transactions.

Broader Context and Political Sensitivity

This case adds to the broader discourse on land rights, illegal transfers, and communal tensions that have long affected Assam’s politics. The government’s aggressive pursuit of alleged corruption in revenue circles comes amid its efforts to regulate land ownership and address illegal migration concerns.

Bora’s arrest is a significant development in Assam’s crackdown on alleged corruption within civil services, reinforcing the administration’s narrative of transparency and zero tolerance for graft. However, the case is also emblematic of the complex intersection of governance, ethnicity, and communal identities in the region, reflecting both legal and sociopolitical challenges.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

The allegations of corruption against Nupur Bora are deeply concerning, as they challenge the ethical foundations of public service and governance. While investigations and due legal processes are imperative for justice, it is equally important to uphold transparency, fairness, and avoid communalising corruption cases, which risks undermining social harmony.

The Logical Indian emphasises the need for systemic reforms that strengthen accountability mechanisms within public administration, protect honest officers, and foster a culture of integrity and inclusiveness.

HCM Dr. @himantabiswa addressed the media following a public meeting at Suklai Serfang. HCM spoke about the recent action being taken against an officer under the CM’s Special Vigilance Department. pic.twitter.com/5LXyRA56DB— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) September 16, 2025