HC rejects to file petition against government reports in connection with MDS scam

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Dec 13

The High Court of Manipur today rejected the prayers of the petitioners counsel to file petitions against the bail objection reports that were submitted by the state government against the former chief minister, Okram Ibobi, MDS former project director, Y. Ningthem, MDS former chairman, DS. Poonia, former chief secretary, O. Nabakishore Singh, MDS former chairman, P.C. Lawmkunga, IAS and MDS administrative officer, S. Ranjit.

In the meantime, as per the directives of the high court, the state government furnished the bail objection reports to the counsels of the petitioners, through the advocate general.

The single bench of the high court, acting chief justice, N. Kotiswor on being heard of the submission made by the counsels of petitioners, fixed December 21 as the day for final hearing of their anticipatory bails.

Later, the court has extended their interim bails till December 21.

Mentioned may be made that on September 5, the high court had granted interim bail for former chief minister till September 20 after he filed his anticipatory bail petition before the court on apprehension of possible arrest by the police in connection the MDS scam case which was registered under FIR No.244 (9)2017 IPS u/s 420/406/120-B/409/34 IPC and 13(2) Prevention of Corruption (PC) against him and five other persons relating to mismanagement of MDS funds.

Moreover, the court has directed the former chief minister not to have any communication with the five other persons and not to leave the country.

The FIR was registered on September 1, after under joint secretary, state planning department, Th. Muhindro directed the SP Imphal West, Themgthing Ngashanva to register an FIR for investigation on the basis of the findings of an inquiry conducted by the State Vigilance Commission into alleged financial irregularities of Rs. 185.79 crores in MDS.

In connection with the case police has raided the house of Ningthem at Lamlongei Maning Leikai, Mantripukhri from September 4 till 7.

On September 4, the district and session judge, Imphal west rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by S. Ranjit as the charged level against him is considered as criminal breach of trust, cheating, conspiracy and criminal conduct by a public servant, which are of serious offences.