Itanagar, June 23: In a major breakthrough, Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested an Assam-based businessman accused of orchestrating a ₹34.33-crore investment fraud by allegedly using forged government documents and falsely claiming close links with top political and bureaucratic figures.
The accused, identified as Rishiraj Borkotoky (41) of Guwahati, Assam, was arrested on June 20 following an investigation launched on the basis of a complaint lodged by businessman Rajesh Agarwal.
Police said Borkotoky allegedly lured the complainant into investing in a proposed Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) manufacturing project in Assam, portraying himself as a wealthy and influential entrepreneur with connections to senior government officials and political leaders.
Addressing reporters, Naharlagun Superintendent of Police Dr Nyelam Nega said the case was registered at Banderdewa Police Station on June 5 under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly produced forged documents purportedly issued by the Revenue Department under the Union Finance Ministry and the Office of the Cabinet Secretary to gain the investor’s trust.
Police further revealed that Borkotoky allegedly operated a fake WhatsApp account displaying the profile picture of the Assam Chief Minister and shared photographs suggesting his proximity to prominent political personalities.
“We are verifying the authenticity of an alleged voice call linked to the account,” a police official said.
Believing the claims to be genuine, the complainant reportedly transferred more than ₹34.33 crore to the accused beginning in 2022.
Acting on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, police tracked down Borkotoky in Guwahati and arrested him. During the operation, officers seized five mobile phones and a luxury vehicle worth around ₹1.5 crore.
The accused was later produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court in Yupia, which remanded him to 10 days of police custody for further interrogation.
Police said further investigations are underway to ascertain whether more people were involved in the alleged investment racket and if additional victims had been duped using similar methods.
