Agartala, February 19, 2025: Tripura police have arrested the former BJP-led West Kalabaria Panchayat Pradhan Sujata Neogi in connection with a large-scale financial corruption case. The accused was produced before the court on police remand following which the court ordered her to be remanded in jail for 14 days until March 3.
The case pertains to allegations of massive irregularities in the utilization of funds for developmental projects, including the construction of drinking water sources, in various areas under the West Kalabaria Panchayat of Bharatchandra Nagar block, Belonia subdivision in South Tripura district.
According to sources, multiple complaints were lodged with Bharat Chandra Nagar BDO Kaberi Nath and Panchayat Samiti Chairman Putul Pal Biswas regarding misappropriation of funds in key infrastructure projects. Acting on these complaints, a high-level inspection was conducted in June by BDO Kaberi Nath, Additional BDO Sudip Kar, Chairman Putul Pal Biswas and other officials to assess the ground reality.
During the inspection, discrepancies were found between the reported expenditures and the actual progress of development projects. Panchayat Secretary Anath Pal was asked to present records, expenditure details and project information. However, the review of these documents revealed serious financial anomalies, leading to the formation of an investigative committee under the directive of the Block Development Officer.
The committee’s subsequent investigation unearthed a staggering discrepancy of Rs 9.73 lakh. Officials found no physical evidence of the works mentioned in the expenditure reports, including the installation of tube wells and drinking water sources. Dissatisfied with the response to a show cause notice issued to the Panchayat Secretary, BDO Kaberi Nath escalated the matter to the District Magistrate of South District highlighting the financial misconduct.
As the probe intensified, Panchayat Secretary Anath Pal claimed that he had executed financial transactions under the directive of the Panchayat President and Deputy President. Furthermore, he alleged that payments had been made in the names of the President’s family members through fraudulent vouchers in multiple sectors. These revelations prompted the State Panchayat Director, Prasun Dey, to formally instruct the District Magistrate to lodge an FIR against the Panchayat Secretary and terminate his service.
On January 1, 2024, a case was registered at Belonia Police Station leading to the immediate arrest of Panchayat Secretary Anath Pal. During police interrogation, the names of several influential BJP leaders and public representatives surfaced, including then-Panchayat Pradhan Sujata Neogi. While Anath Pal was granted bail by the court, the police continued their investigation into the matter.
Finally, following an in-depth probe, the police arrested Sujata Neogi on charges of financial corruption under Case No. 3/2024, Sections 409 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. She was presented before the court, which remanded her to judicial custody until March 3.
The arrest of the former BJP Panchayat Pradhan has created a political storm in the region, sparking discussions about corruption and accountability within local governance. The incident has also led to growing concerns among local leaders and residents regarding transparency in Panchayat-level financial management. Authorities have assured further legal action as the case takes place.
