Self-Proclaimed Kin of CM’s Wife Runs Multi-Crore Fraud in Upper Assam

A major fraud has come to light in Upper Assam, where a young man claiming to be a relative of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, allegedly swindled several individuals, including retired officials of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).

The accused, identified as Dr. Bidyut Bikash Bhuyan, is now absconding, sparking widespread concern and raising questions about the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation.

According to multiple reports and victim testimonies, Dr. Bhuyan, often seen dressed in white and presenting himself as a “doctor,” used his charm and polite demeanor to gain the trust of victims. He introduced himself as a self-proclaimed “relative” of Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, thereby establishing credibility in the eyes of many.

The Modus Operandi

Victims were reportedly lured into his scheme with promises of obtaining liquor shop and petrol depot licenses, official documents, and other government approvals. Dr. Bhuyan was seen carrying official-looking documents in an expensive bag, which reportedly helped him convince his victims.

One prominent victim, Jibakanta Das, a retired ONGC officer from Sivasagar, was duped into paying ₹52 lakh for licenses and approvals. Despite repeated assurances from Dr. Bhuyan, the checks handed over by Das bounced, leaving him financially devastated.

Dr. Bhuyan reportedly first approached Das through a mutual acquaintance during 2023. At the time, Das was planning to start a business in Assam after retirement. Taking advantage of this, Dr. Bhuyan offered to facilitate liquor and petrol depot licenses, claiming his relationship with the CM’s family. Das, trusting his words, handed over the money in several installments.

After collecting the money, Dr. Bhuyan reportedly disappeared and changed contact details, leaving the victims helpless. Despite attempts to contact him, he has remained out of reach. Das later had to approach the Baroda Court in Gujarat to file a legal case against the accused. Simultaneously, the Assam Chief Minister’s monitoring cell also initiated a separate inquiry.

Scale of the Fraud

Investigations suggest that Jibakanta Das was not the only victim. Multiple people in Upper Assam have allegedly been targeted by Dr. Bhuyan, who collected lakhs of rupees from each, under the pretext of facilitating government licenses and approvals. The total amount involved is estimated to run into crores of rupees.

Despite the filing of cases and ongoing investigations in both Gujarat and Assam, Dr. Bhuyan has remained absconding. Authorities are reportedly trying to trace his movements, but he has managed to evade capture.

Public Concerns and Questions

The case has raised significant public questions: Is Dr. Bidyut Bikash Bhuyan truly a relative of the Chief Minister’s wife? Why has the police and investigation machinery not yet apprehended him? How could such a large-scale fraud continue over two years without detection?

Victims like Jibakanta Das have appealed directly to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging the state government to take swift action against Dr. Bhuyan and ensure that the perpetrator is brought to justice.

Dr. Bidyut Bikash Bhuyan’s alleged fraudulent operations, which involved posing as a close relative of the state’s first family and promising lucrative business licenses, have left several Upper Assam residents financially ruined.

Meanwhile, the state police continue to investigate the matter, but the accused remains at large, highlighting the need for stricter scrutiny in the licensing and approval process for businesses such as liquor shops and petrol depots.

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