Absolute bail (sans condition) granted to Health Director, 3 others
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 27 2021:
Session Judge Imphal West gave absolute bail to Health Director Kangujam Rajo and three others in connection with the cases taken up by Vigilance and Anti Corruption Police Station Manipur for procurement and distribution of medical protective gears including N-95 mask without following establishment norms to district hospitals and CMOs of 16 districts in March - April last year.
Soon after the case was registered, Kangujam Rajo of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda, Indiver Saikhom of Uripok Panchai Maning Leikai, Yumnam Karamchand of Khagempalli Panthak and Proprietor of Ms Blue Sky Services Rahul Jain of Fancy Bazar Guwahati filed an anticipatory bail.
In the course of prosecution, it was alleged that the Medical Directorate procured protective gear including N 95 masks for combating COVID-19 pandemic from various firms without following the establishment norms in March- April last year.
It was further alleged that the Medical Directorate procured 52,100 N-95 masks from five firms - M/s Blue Sky Services Guwahati, M/s Nim Pharmaceutical Guwahati, M/s Global Infrastructure Dimapur, M/S Fama Marketing Guwahati and M/S Yumnam Agency Imphal without issuing supply orders to the respected firms.
Out of the 3,050 masks supplied by M/S Fama Marketing Guwahati, 200 substandard masks were issued to District Hospital Churachandpur on 3rd and 6th April 2020, it claimed.
The petitioners, on the other hand, submitted that masks and PPE kits were procured for emergency circumstances with the approval of the competent authority.
It was also submitted that there was no wrongdoing by the Government officials in the supply of medical items during COVID pandemic.
It was further submitted that there was a limited departmental tender process and the proceeding was approved by the State Government and also submitted that the supplies were made as per oral/ written instruction from the Medical Department.
They submitted that they are co operating in the investigation and custodial interrogation is not required as necessary documents are in the custody of the investigating agency and prayed for granting them absolute bail.
The Court after hearing both the parties and on perusal of the case granted absolute bail to K Rajo and three others.