ED Cracks Down on Ex Assam IPS Officer, Attaches Hotels and Mumbai Flats Worth Rs 53.28 Crore

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 53.28 crore belonging to a retired Assam IPS officer in connection with an alleged disproportionate assets and money laundering case , marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation.

According to an official statement issued by the agency, the action has been taken against Prasanta Kumar Dutta , a former IPS officer who rose through the ranks after being promoted from the Assam Police Service . Dutta retired as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and is accused of amassing assets far beyond his known sources of income during his years in public service.

The ED said the attachment has been carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The attached assets include four hotels in Guwahati and two residential flats in Mumbai , collectively valued at approximately Rs 53.28 crore .

The money laundering investigation stems from an FIR registered by the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Branch of Assam Police under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 . Investigators allege that between 1992 and 2019 , Dutta accumulated wealth grossly disproportionate to his legitimate earnings.

According to the ED, records indicate that the combined disclosed income of Dutta and his wife stood at around Rs 7.23 crore , while their reported expenditure was approximately Rs 9.04 crore . However, investigators claim to have uncovered undisclosed assets worth about Rs 77.21 crore , taking the estimated value of disproportionate assets to nearly Rs 79.01 crore .

The agency further alleged that the proceeds of crime were routed through three closely held companies namely Mahamaya Estates Pvt Ltd , Ishan Commercial Pvt Ltd , and Murari Commodities Pvt Ltd . Investigators claimed that the registered offices of these firms were found to be non-existent.

The ED also alleged that over Rs 14.74 crore in unexplained cash was introduced into the bank accounts of Dutta's family members and the companies. According to the investigation, the funds were allegedly layered through fictitious shareholders , Kolkata based shell entities , and a network of circular bank transactions before being invested in hotels and residential properties.

Officials stated that many individuals shown as shareholders of the companies had no independent financial means and were unable to explain the source of the investments attributed to them. The agency believes these individuals acted as name lenders to conceal the actual ownership and movement of funds.

The ED has said that the investigation is continuing and further action may follow as it examines additional financial transactions and the alleged money laundering network.