Sub-standard non-leather belt for cops case ; IO should not be below SP rank: Court
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 14 2017:
In a significant judgement on the supply of sub-standard nonleather beltto Manipur police, Judicial Magistrate First Class Imphal West I, Alek Muivah has directed the DGP to consider replacing the Investigation Officer of the case with a high ranking police personnel not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.
Accused in the case, Md Abdul Gani Khan (52) s/o (L) Md Abdul GuffUr Khan of Kshetri Bengoon Awang Leikai was produced before the Court today for hearing of the case registered against him under FIR number 176 (6) 2017 Imphal police station filed under Section 406/ 409/120-B of IPC.
Investigation Officer of the case, Y Chandramani, SDPO Imphal PS prayed for remanding the accused to judicial custody for 15 days till June 28 .
On the other hand, counsel of the accused filed a petition praying for release of the accused on bail under Section 437 of CrPC.
Assistant Public Prosecutor of the State submitted before the Court that the accused was arrested on June 9 last at around 8.30 pm on the charges of supplying 20,000 sub-standard non-leather belts to the Police Department in two phases on June 23 and August 20, 2014 contrary to the sample submitted during the open tender.
He stated that during the preliminary investigation, the accused person is alleged to have disclosed that he had supplied 20, 000 belts (black with crest) at the cost of Rs 117 per piece and for the grand total cost of Rs 23,40,000 instead of genuine belt in collusion with the proprietor of SS Enterprises, 40/78 Hospital Road, Kanpur.
The AAP further submitted that the present investigation is far from being completed and prayed for remanding the accused to judicial custody for 15 days for smooth investigation.
The defense counsel submitted that the accused is a respected proprietor cum owner of the registered firm by the name of MS Md Abdul Gani Khan situated at Masjid Road, Paona Bazar and also a special contractor dealing with various Government orders for supply of goods.
He also claimed that the accused is innocent as the supplied items were checked and approved by the Line Committee members as per the specification of the sample furnished at the time of the open tender and in support of the averment.
Observing that there is a possibility of involvement of high ranking police personnel in the case, the Court asked the DGP to consider replacing the IO of the case with a high ranking police personnel not below the rank of Superintendent of Police.
The Court directed the accused not to hamper or tamper with the evidence and to not influence any witnesses of the case.
The accused was also asked to make himself available before the Investigation Officer in connection with the case and not to leave the State without the permission of the Court.
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