BTC book scam explodes: Rs 4 crore fraud triggers legal action; Promod Boro vows stern action

A massive corruption scandal has rocked the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), with serious allegations of a multi-crore book procurement scam surfacing in the Education Department under the leadership of BTC Chief Executive Member Promod Boro. 

The scam, estimated at nearly ₹4 crore, has set off a political firestorm across the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), especially in the run-up to the BTC elections.

The controversy stems from alleged large-scale irregularities in the procurement and supply of books to 33 colleges affiliated with Bodoland University. Delhi-based legal firm Lal & Associates, led by senior lawyer Vijay Kumar Gaur, has issued legal notices to several top BTC officials. The notices accuse them of criminal conspiracy, fraud, and misuse of government funds.

Officials Named in the Legal Notice:

B.L. Ahuja, Vice-Chancellor, Bodoland University

Jagdish Prasad Brahma, Director of Education, BTC

Amarjyoti Barman, Secretary of Education, BTC

Akashdeep, Principal Secretary of BTC

Principals of all 33 affiliated colleges

According to the notice, under directive BTC/EDM-247/2024/2025/P1-1/30, illegal authorization was granted to:

Prashant Jain (alleged mastermind)

Rahul Jain (his brother)

Mohit Kumar Jain

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Gaurav Jain

These individuals allegedly orchestrated the supply of books through blacklisted publishers including:

Indica Publishers & Distributors Pvt. Ltd.

Rehab Books

Adi Books

Metro Books Pvt. Ltd.

Shri Publishers

The legal notice claims this network pushed pirated and substandard books into the education system at inflated prices—one example citing a book worth ₹500 being billed at ₹15,000.

Bribery Allegations Include:

Jagdish Prasad Brahma allegedly received a bribe of ₹6 lakh

Amarjyoti Barman allegedly received ₹5 lakh

Khagen Kalita (Librarian, Bodoland University) allegedly accepted ₹50,000

A person named Sunil allegedly collected ₹1.5 lakh

The scandal has sent shockwaves through the BTC administration. At a press conference, BTC Chief Promod Boro, who also holds the Education portfolio, confirmed that an investigation has been initiated.

“If any such corruption has actually occurred, strict action will be taken. If any contractor has supplied pirated or substandard books, it will not be tolerated. Misuse of even a single paisa of public funds will not be spared,” said Promod Boro.

Reacting sharply, Rinjoy Boro, President of the BPF Youth Wing, condemned the alleged scam, calling it a “shameful act of corruption in the education sector.” He urged Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene and ensure an impartial probe.

With public outrage building and legal action underway, the BTC administration faces a major credibility test. Observers see this as a crucial moment for Promod Boro's zero-tolerance policy on corruption to be upheld in action.