Cong MLA’s ex-husband, PSO sent to cop custody

Guwahati: A lower court here on Wednesday sent Borkhola legislator Rumi Nath’s estranged second husband, Jacky Zakir, and her personal security officer (PSO), Bedabrata Borpatragohain, to police custody for three days.While Jacky was arrested on Tuesday from his residence in Mokoi Bhanga village in Karimganj district for alleged links with notorious car lifter Anil Chauhan, who was apprehended last week, the PSO was nabbed from the city.Though police sought week-long custody of Zakir and the PSO, the court granted them three days to quiz the duo. Police suspect they can give vital information about the criminal’s nexus with several politicians and top cops of the state.Following Chauhan’s arrest, investigation revealed that he received favours from Rumi a couple of times and also got car passes to the assembly campus thrice. “Chauhan wanted political cover to save him from getting arrested. The MLA and her former husband, along with the PSO, received huge ‘protection money’ from Chauhan several times and helped him run his criminal activities,” said a senior police officer. Jacky, however, denied knowledge of Chauhan’s activities. “I didn’t know that he was a car lifter,” said Jacky. Police said Chauhan helped the couple after they married secretly. “The couple took shelter at Chauhan’s place. He helped them by providing them with vehicles from time to time,” the official added.Chauhan, who is currently in police custody, revealed that the couple helped his wife, who is a Congress worker. She is on the run now.Rumi is yet to file her reply to a showcause notice by the speaker who asked her to clarify her stand after her name surfaced in the investigation. “Nath was asked to reply within April 8, but no response has been received yet,” a source said. Police said the MLA is absent from her Dispur quarters and Karimganj residence. Sources said she is planning to get anticipatory bail in the case.