Assam born scientist Tridip Kumar Goswami denies involvement in alleged carbon credit fraud in US

In his first public response, Tridip Kumar Goswami, the Nalbari-born scientist facing charges in the United States for allegedly participating in a multi-million-dollar carbon credit fraud scheme, denied any involvement in financial dealings and clarified his role as a technical expert. 

In an exclusive interview with India Today NE, Goswami asserted that he has not yet received any official legal notice related to the case.

Tridip Kumar Goswami, originally from Samarkuchi in Assam's Nalbari district, has been at the centre of a major controversy following allegations of his involvement in a carbon credit fraud scheme. U.S. federal prosecutors have accused him of manipulating data to falsely secure carbon credits worth millions of dollars, with the fraudulent activity allegedly funnelling over $250 million from investors. Goswami had been serving as the head of carbon and sustainability accounting at CQC Impact Investors, a firm that specializes in generating voluntary carbon credits.

The charges have drawn significant attention in both the U.S. and India, given Goswami’s reputed scientific background. Goswami holds a Master’s in Chemistry from Gauhati University and a Master’s in Energy Technology from Tezpur University, with early work in hydrogen energy research at the Central Electrochemical Research Institute in India. His expertise later led him to work in the U.S. carbon credit and sustainability sectors, where the alleged fraud occurred.

Also Read: Assam’s Nalbari-born scientist charged in U.S. carbon-credit fraud scheme

Goswami's First Public Reaction: In his first interview since the charges surfaced, Goswami spoke exclusively to India Today NE’s Hillol Jyoti Talukdar via a telephonic interview, where he expressed surprise and confusion over the accusations. According to him, he had learned about the case only through media reports and had not yet been officially informed by either Indian or U.S. authorities.

When asked directly about the allegations, Goswami stated: "I just heard from media... I don't have any legal notice till now from any authority. So I don't have, I don't know exactly what it is."

He clarified that while the media reports had raised serious accusations, no formal communication had been made to him, either by U.S. or Indian legal entities. Goswami explained that due to the absence of any official notice, he was unsure of the specifics of the allegations and had not been able to take any formal legal steps yet. However, he did acknowledge that if charges were formally presented, he would explore all legal options available to defend himself.

Pressed further about his approach to handling the situation from a legal standpoint, Goswami emphasized that his response would depend on receiving formal charges. He highlighted that any legal proceedings would only begin once he was properly notified by the concerned authorities: "It is in media as I have mentioned... I should get either from the Indian authority or from the USA. Whenever this, you know, allegation is made... if there is an allegation, I'll definitely go ahead with legal options."

Goswami's Role at CQC Impact Investors: In the interview, Goswami was keen to differentiate his responsibilities at CQC Impact Investors from any involvement in the fraudulent activity. He stressed that his role at the firm had always been purely technical, and he had no dealings in financial matters, either within the company or with external investors.

"I was never part of any scheme. I was a technical person and just a mere employee of C-Quest Capital entity from US. So, my role was technical only. I was never into any financial dealing with anyone nor within the entity or outside the entity." Said Goswami. 

This distinction is significant, as it directly challenges the allegations that have surfaced in the media. U.S. federal prosecutors claim that the fraud involved the manipulation of data and financial reports to artificially inflate the value of carbon credits, leading investors to commit significant amounts of capital based on inaccurate information. Goswami, however, has maintained that his involvement was limited to the technical aspects of the projects managed by CQC Impact Investors.

While Goswami’s initial reaction has raised further questions, the case remains unresolved as he has yet to receive formal legal charges. According to him, he has spent most of his time in India, working from Delhi, despite some travel to the United States. It remains unclear if Goswami is currently under investigation by Indian authorities or if the U.S. government plans to pursue his extradition.

The carbon credit market, in which Goswami’s employer CQC Impact Investors operates, has become a focal point for both environmental and financial sectors worldwide. Carbon credits are used as an incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with companies earning credits through verified reduction projects such as clean cookstoves in rural areas or reforestation programs. Fraud within this sector not only undermines environmental goals but also leads to substantial financial losses for investors and stakeholders.

As the case unfolds, Tridip Kumar Goswami’s future remains uncertain. In his interview with India Today NE, he appeared cautious and reserved, deferring to the fact that he has not yet been officially informed of the charges against him. His denial of any involvement in the financial aspects of the fraud scheme and his assertion that he was strictly a technical employee at CQC Impact Investors may form the foundation of his defense if formal legal proceedings are initiated.

For now, the case continues to draw attention from both Indian and international media, with questions looming over the legitimacy of the carbon credit markets and the regulatory oversight in place to prevent such incidents. Goswami’s next steps, both legally and professionally, will likely hinge on the progress of the investigation and whether U.S. prosecutors can substantiate their claims. For now, he maintains that he was never part of any financial misconduct, and he awaits further clarity on the allegations against him.