CBI raids ex CM Ibobi Singh's residence in connection with multi crore MDS scam
Source: IT News

Imphal, November 22 2019: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today raided the residence of former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh at Thoubal Athokpam Makha leikai and his official quarter at Babupara today morning in connection with the multi crore Manipur Development Society (MDS) scam.

The CBI team also reportedly raided the residence of former Chief Secretary P C Lawmkunga at Aizawl in Mizoram, former Chief Secretary O Nabakishore Singh at Babupara and MDS office at Secure Building Imphal.

CBI raids ex CM Ibobi Singh's residence in connection with multi crore MDS scam

Source said, the CBI obtained permission for conducting of raid at different locations including the former Chief Minister on Wednesday, November 20 .

Soon after the BJP led government replaced the Okram Ibobi Singh led Congress government in the state in March 2017, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has announced that the case for alleged misappropriation of Rs 186.79 - crore in Manipur Development Society (MDS) would be recommended for CBI enquiry.

The CBI reportedly took the MDS case and sought permission of the State Government to investigate former Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, former Project Director of MDS Y Ningthem Singh, former Chief Secretaries DS Poonia, PC Lawmkunga, O Nabakishore Singh and Administrative Officer S Ranjit Singh on October 18 this year.

The permission was granted only on Wednesday when the former Chief Minister is busy campaigning against the introduction of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and for disclosure of the content of final settlement of Naga issue at New Delhi.

Our reporter at Thoubal, said that 6 officers of the CBI including a woman officer conducted the raid at Okram Ibobi Singh's Thoubal Athokpam Makha Leikai residence.

The raid was conducted till the filling of this story (3.p.m) .

The raid at the Babupara quarters of the former CM started at around 7.30 am.

and continue till late in the evening.

Earlier before the case has been handed over to the CBI, Manipur Police had raided the residence of former MDS project director Y Ningthem three times in September 2017 .

Various documents were seized during the search.

The scam is related to alleged misappropriation of funds allotted to MDS for development of infrastructure for water sports in the Loktak lake.

Before that, the then acting Chief Justice of Manipur High Court N Kotishwar passed an interim order granting relief to Ibobi Singh on an anticipatory bail plea.

The FIR was lodged on September by the Joint Secretary Th Munindro, Planning, Government of Manipur on the basis of an inquiry report submitted by the Vigilance department.

The vigilance report said the former Chief Minister "is required to be examined and record his statement as he was the chairman of MDS from July 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014" .

In November, 2016, the Planning Department of the state government had approached the Vigilance department to conduct an enquiry into the alleged financial irregularities in MDS.

It was alleged that "officials and staffs of MDS had not observed prescribed procedures, establishments norms and extant rules" including "measurement books, detailed project reports and utilisation certification" .

The FIR accused Ibobi Singh, three former chief secretaries and two former chairmen of MDS of cheating, criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misconduct by a public servant.

Those named were former chief secretaries Y Ningthem Singh, P C Lawmkunga and O Nabakishore Singh.

Also named in the FIR were former project director of MDS D S Poonia and its administrative officer Ranjit Singh, the officer said.