MD of Salai, brother of Samarjit in NIA custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2020: Elangbam Brojendro, Managing Director of Salai Group of Companies and Smart Society and Narengbam Biswajit, elder brother of Narengbam Samarjit were arrested yesterday by the NIA (National Investigation Agency) for allegedly running a ponzi scheme and they have been remanded to 3 days NIA custody today.

They were arrested in connection with a case registered against Narengbam Samarjit, who had announced formation of a Government in exile in London on October 29 last year.

Elangbam Brojendro (42) of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai and Narengbam Biswajit (48) of Tera Loukrakpam Leikai were produced before the Court of Special Judge NIA today along with a prayer for three days remand.

The defense counsels of E Brojendro and N Biswajit filed objection to the prayer for remand and prayed the Court for bail.

During the hearing, Investigating Officer (IO) of the case through Special Public Prosecutor submitted that in compliance with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, a case was registered by the NIA Guwahati under different sections against Narengbam Samarjit, then Chairman and Managing Director of Salai Group of Companies and Smart Society and Yambem Biren of Terakhongsangbi Leimaram Leikai in connection with the announcement of separating the State of Manipur from India, and forming the Manipur State Council on October 29 last year in a press conference held at London.

N Samarjit had declared himself as External Affairs and Defense Minister of Manipur State Council and Y Biren as Chief Minister of Manipur State Council.

They had sought asylum in the United Kingdom, submitted the IO.

During the course of investigation, it was revealed that the Salai Group was allegedly indulging in ponzi schemes or money circulating schemes.

Due to the unsustainability of their schemes, the main accused, N Samarjit then chairman of Salai fled to London with money of the depositors and announced independence of Manipur, submitted the IO.

Further investigation also revealed that 3 Vice Chairmen of Salai, Elangbam Brojendro, Narengbam Biswajit and one, Akoijam Deepa Anand were involved in the conspiracy with main accused N Samarjit.

The IO alleged that N Samarjit had submitted his resignation way back on July 28 last year on the ground that he may go abroad for a long time for some work.

Inspite of this fact, the Board of Directors feigned ignorance and claimed that they were not aware of the intention of N Samarjit and claimed that they were 'shocked' to know the declaration of Independence of Manipur.

The IO submitted that accused Elangbam Brojendro, Narengbam Biswajit and Akoijam Deepa Anand "consciously" took part in the illegal collection of money and money laundering in close connivance with N Samarjit.

Several statements of other Directors of the company and investors have established that the money collected by SAFINS/MFD were directly handled by the three of them.

Yesterday, three of them were called to the NIA office for examination of the evidence and materials collected during the investigation but Akoijam Deepa Anand failed to turn up on health ground.

When Elangbam Brojendro and Narengbam Biswajit were confronted with the several materials and evidence collected, they evaded crucial questions and concealed material facts.

They were not fully collaborating with the investigating authority and as such they were arrested and their Voter ID cards, pan cards, driving licenses and other materials were seized on the spot yesterday, submitted the IO.

The Court after hearing the submissions remanded the two to NIA custody for three days till December 5 .

The Court also directed the IO to take measures for examining the accused persons before the medical practitioners of RIMS for every 48 hours.

Further, the bail applications filed by the accused persons will be heard on December 5 .

The accused persons may file additional applications if any and the NIA may also file objection against the bail applications, said the Court ordering production of the accused persons before it on Dec 5 .

Comment