Assam Congress MLA arrested in auto theft racket

Congress legislator Rumi Nath was arrested on Tuesday for her alleged nexus with the notorious kingpin of auto thefts Anil Chauhan, police said.

A senior official of the Guwahati Police Commissionerate confirmed and added that Nath was arrested for two cases - one registered with the Azara police station and the other registered with Dispur police station in the city.

"She was arrested from her official residence in Dispur on Tuesday morning," the official added.

Both the cases are related to her nexus with the kingpin of auto theft racket, police said.

"She was arrested under non-bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)," the official said.

The alleged nexus between Nath and Chauhan came to the fore when the kingpin of auto thefts and one his accomplices were arrested from Azara area on April 3.

Chauhan's car had passes issued by the Assam legislative assembly authorities and it was found that the passes were issued to him from 2012 to 2015 on Nath's recommendation.

Nath initially denied that she knows Chauhan and said the recommendation for car's passes were given to Chauhan's wife Rita - a Congress worker.

Nath could not be contacted after Assam assembly Speaker Pranab Gogoi and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Anjan Dutta sought an explanation over the allegation.

On Monday, while addressing the media persons, Nath reiterated her stand that she does not know Chauhan and also dared police to arrest her if they have evidence.