Police raid MDS officer Ningthem’s residence

Court rejects Ningthem’s bail application; several files seized

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 4

A police team led by sub-divisional police officer A. Ghanashyam Sharma today raided the plush home of former project director and presently officer on special duty of Manipur Development Society (MDS) Yambem Ningthem at Lamlongei Maning Leikai, Mantripukhri today.

The raid began at 6 am in the morning and was still continued at the time of filing this report.

The police team was seen talking to Ningthem in the presence of his wife. The police seized several files of MDS projects which were kept at his residence. The police also checked his laptops and searched the contents.

The state vigilance commission had in its inquiry report stated that Ningthem had kept several files pertaining to MDS projects at his residence.

Earlier today the district and sessions judge, Imphal West today issued house search warrant against Ningthem in connection with multi-crore MDS scam.

A case was lodged against Ningthem and five others including former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on September 1, alleging huge financial irregularities totalling Rs.185.79 crores were committed.

The others in the FIR included former chief secretaries, D.S. Poonia, P.C Lawmkunga, O. Nabikishore Singh and also S. Ranjit Singh (administrative officers, MDS).

The FIR was lodged against them by Dr. Th. Muhindro Singh, joint secretary planning, government based on findings of the investigation conducted by the state vigilance commission.

Ghanashyam filed a plea seeking search warrant under section 93 Cr.P.C.

In his plea the SDPO submitted before the court that as per the inquiry report it has been indicated that the official and staff of MDS had not observed prescribed procedures, established norms and extant rules scrupulously, thereby facilitating the misappropriation of government funds of total liabilities of Rs.185.79 crores and prayed for issuing house search warrant.

Having examined the report submitted by the I.O report, the court found “sufficient grounds” for issuing house reach warrant and issued the same.

The same court also today rejected anticipatory bail plea of Ranjit Singh, administrative officers, MDS.

In his bail plea, the accused’s counsel submitted that the petitioner is working as an administrative officer in MDS and that the allegations made against Ranjit were “vague and baseless.”

However, the court observed that charges levelled against the accused are of criminal breach of trust, cheating, conspiracy and criminal misconduct by public servant, which are of serious offences and as such this court is not inclined to entertain the prayers of the accused and thereby rejected the bail plea.