Retired IAS and retired BDO further remanded into police custody
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2019: Retired IAS officer A Tombikanta and retired BDO Md Nazimuddin, who were arrested on charges of misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 2,39,95,578 in connection with highway expansion works in collusion with each other, were remanded to further police custody till July 5, by Special Court, Prevention of Corruption Imphal West today.

The Court also fixed the said day for hearing the bail applications filed by the two individuals.

Retired IAS A Tombikanta of Moidangpok (presently staying at Lamphel quarter No 40 Type IV) and former BDO, Md Nazimuddin s/o Md Rahimuddin of Keikhu Mayai Leikai, were produced before the Court after the completion of 8 days and 5 days police remand respectively in connection with the case which was taken up by Tengnoupal district police, along with a prayer for remanding them to 5 days in police custody.

Meanwhile, remand objection bail applications were filed by the two individuals through their respective counsels.

During the hearing today, the IO of the case submitted that the charges levelled against the two is that A Tombikanta, former DC Tengnoupal district, misappropriated a sum of Rs 2,39,95,578 from CALA account of NHIDCL which is maintained at Syndicate Bank, RIMS road, Imphal, during his tenure as DC Tengnoupal.

The IO alleged that a sum of Rs 52,17,000 was transferred to the account of one Tongkhong Mate, Rs 1,21,04,331 to H Tangtinlal Mate, H Vahanen Mate, Chingkhoneng Baite and Ngulkholal and Rs 66,74,248 in excess to Ph Shonkholen Mate, Ph Jangkhomang and Kumar Gautam.

Tongkhong Mate alias Haopu was not included in the list of beneficiaries and as such, he is also required to be examined, the APP said, adding that A Tombikanta, in his capacity as DC Tengnoupal, conspired with co-accused Md Nazimuddin and others.

The IO submitted that while the two accused were in police custody remand, some important documents were seized but their further remand in police custody is required for investigation, collection of documents etc.

It was also submitted that a search warrant was obtained from the concerned Court and a search was conducted at the residence as well as the quarter of A Tombikanta and during the search, some relevant documents and files were seized by the police team.

Later in the evening of June 28, retired BDO Md Nazimuddin was arrested from his residence at Keirao and one HP laptop and a black bag which was allegedly used in preparing documents for transferring funds from CALA account to the account of others, were also seized by police, the IO added.

On the other hand, the defense counsel of A Tombikanta submitted that Tombikanta is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the case.

Reasoning that the police FIR itself shows that Tombikanta has been wrongly implicated, the defense counsel submitted that the alleged misappropriated amount has never been credited to Tombikanta's account.

The defense counsel further explained that Tombikanta is now developing various ailments, including hypertension, and as such, is not fit for further police custody remand.

The counsel also produced medical papers before the Court in support of the submission.

On the other hand, the defense counsel of Md Nazimuddin submitted that he has no connection either with A Tombikanta or with the present case and explained that Nazimuddin was never posted at Tengnoupal.

As such, he has no connection with the case and he is also having ailments which needs proper care and attention and he is not fit to be remanded to further police custody, the counsel explained submitting the necessary medical documents in support of the submission.

The Court, after hearing the submission of both sides and going through the case records, observed that there are suspicious illegal transactions as pointed out by the prosecution and that some documents were indeed seized in connection with the case.

Considering all the aspects, the Court ruled that there is sufficient materials for justifying further remand of the two individuals for further investigation.

Accordingly, the Court remanded A Tombikanta and Md Nazimuddin to further police custody for 4 days, till July 5 .

The Court further directed the IO of the case, to provide due medical aid to the two individuals.

The Court also fixed July 5 for the consideration of the bail applications.

Comment