CBI refuses to take up cases of Tulihal drug seizure and murder of trader
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 12, 2013:
The State Cabinet's decision to hand over the two cases of drug seizure from Tulihal Airport and murder of businessman Shankarlal Swami to the CBI have been turned down by the investigating agency saying that the two cases do not fit their profile.
A high ranking official of the Home Department told The Sangai Express that the CBI last month returned the case of seizure of drugs worth Rs 1.5 crore fromTulihal Airport on January 11 this year.
Drugs worth Rs 1.5 crore was seized by a team of Imphal West Special Investigation Unit (SIU).
Interestingly the SIU was disbanded after the drug seizure, raising a hue and cry from the public.
After CBI turned down the case, the Home Department has written to the State Police to resume its investigation into the case.
The State Government decided to hand over the case to CBI in view of the widespread protest demanding disclosure of the real owner of the seized drugs.
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Along with the demand, many allegations were raised about involvement of politicians in drug trafficking.
Immediately after seizure of drugs from Imphal airport, the Imphal West SP disbanded the SIU and its Inspector K Ranjit was transferred elsewhere.
Even as police booked one Md Rajauddin of Lilong Shambrukhong as the owner of the seized drugs, the accused was released by Court as police could not produce any convincing evidence.
However, CBI has not given any comment on the State Cabinet decision to hand over the Pallel drug seizure case in which a group led by Defence PRO Ajay Chowdhry were apprehended by Thoubal commandos along with drugs worth Rs 25 crore from Pallel.
In follow-up action to the drug seizure, MLA TN Haokip's son Seikholen Haokip was also arrested together with drugs after raiding his house.
Again, CBI has turned down the Cabinet's decision to approach the CBI to probe the murder case of plywood factory manager Shankarlal Swami.
Shankarlal Swami was abducted from Kangla and found murdered on January 3 this year at Waheng Khuman.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam had commented that the murder looked like a pre-planned action.