Former Assam chief minister’s son granted bail in loan-default case

In a statement on Sunday, Ashok said he had proof to show the loan was repaid through a “compromised settlement scheme”. “I repaid the loan in 2011 and as proof, the bank issued a certificate in October 2015, stating that all dues were settled,” he said.

Debabrata shared a notice on ASCARD letterhead, dated October 28, 2015, and signed by the bank’s general manager in-charge which said all dues — both principal and interest — were fully repaid, and the loan liquidated.

“Before the CBI arrived, I did not receive any notice from its officers or the CBI court. Only the government or the CBI can say why I have been arrested in such a baseless case,” the statement added.

Ashok told reporters that he “cooperated” with CBI officials. “It seems I was to be present for a hearing on October 8 or 9. However, I was unaware so I did not attend the hearing. If I had known I would have gone,” he said.

“My brother never absconded; he was at home… He never received any notice but officials arrived at his home and asked him to go with them and it turned out to be an arrest. He should have at least been intimated before. There is no merit in this case,” Debabrata said.

On being asked if there was a political conspiracy behind the arrest, Debabrata said he did not want to comment. “However, what I can say is that the government is always up to intimidation tactics. There are so many defaulters, who are scot-free. But here is a man who has paid his dues but was still taken to jail,” he said.