Mismanagement of temple funds by the Kamakhya Debutter Board has come to light, with the ED uncovering fraudulent practices such as siphoning money through fake contracts and unauthorized expense approvals.
BY PC Bureau
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office, has uncovered a financial fraud involving the defunct Kamakhya Debutter Board, which previously managed the Kamakhya Temple. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, officials found that approximately ₹7.62 crore was misappropriated by board officials between 2003 and 2019.
The Kamakhya Temple, located atop Nilachal Hill, is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, an incarnation of Shakti. It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus and draws millions of devotees annually, especially during the Ambubachi Mela. Its cultural and religious significance makes any mismanagement of its resources a deeply sensitive issue.
According to an ED statement, the fraud involved the misuse of funds meant for the Kamakhya Temple through shell entities hired for supplying materials such as electrical goods, cement, cleaning chemicals, manpower, and other services. To bypass court-mandated approvals for expenses above ₹50,000 from the Kamrup Deputy Commissioner, officials allegedly split larger bills into smaller amounts to avoid scrutiny.
Divine darshan of Maa Kamakhya Devi Temple from Guwahati, during rain in winter.
Jai Maa Kamakhya. pic.twitter.com/13zCisZ8Ov
— Akanksha Parmar (@iAkankshaP) January 24, 2025
The investigation, which originated from an FIR filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Guwahati, led to searches at the residences of late Riju Prasad Sarma, former administrator of the Kamakhya Debutter Board, along with Dhiraj Sarma and Naba Kanta Sarma. The ED seized insurance policies worth approximately ₹1.82 crore taken out in the names of board officials and their family members, along with documents related to immovable properties and business entities.
During the searches, officials also uncovered more than 27 bank accounts linked to individuals associated with the fraud. The ED is continuing its investigation into the misappropriation of temple funds.
Separately, the ED Cochin Zonal Office has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth approximately ₹7.94 crore in Ernakulam and Idukki districts in a case involving Shelji George, Deputy Manager, Tea Division of SUPPLYCO, and others under the PMLA, 2002. The investigation, based on an FIR by the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau, revealed a conspiracy involving M/s Haileyburia Tea Estates Ltd. and George to manipulate e-auctions conducted by the Tea Board. Dummy companies were used to inflate tea prices, causing SUPPLYCO to incur a loss of ₹8.91 crore.
The Kamakhya Debutter Board was an administrative body responsible for managing the affairs of the Kamakhya Temple, one of India’s most revered Shakti Peethas, located in Guwahati, Assam. Established to oversee the temple’s functioning, finances, and rituals, the board held significant responsibility for maintaining the sanctity and operations of this iconic religious site.
Key Responsibilities of the Board:
1. Temple Management: Supervision of daily rituals, festivals, and the upkeep of temple premises.
2. Financial Administration: Management of donations, offerings, and other sources of income meant for the temple’s maintenance.
3. Asset Management: Oversight of properties, funds, and other resources belonging to the temple.
Issues and Decline:
The board’s functioning was plagued by allegations of financial mismanagement, corruption, and administrative inefficiency. Over time, these issues eroded trust and raised concerns about the misuse of temple funds. In particular, misappropriation of donations and questionable expenditure practices came under scrutiny.
The Kamakhya Debutter Board was eventually dissolved after public and legal pressure, transferring the responsibility of the temple’s management to the Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, a new governing body formed to restore transparency and accountability.
