ED seizes properties worth Rs 1.99 crore
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 12 2026: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Imphal Sub-Zonal Office, has provisionally attached two immovable properties, including homestead land and residential buildings, located in Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts, with a total value of approximately Rs 1.99 crore under Section 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 .

The properties were attached in connection with a money laundering investigation against then Inspector of Customs and Central Excise Seikholen Kipgen, and others, said a press release issued by the ED .

According to the ED, the investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Imphal, against Kipgen under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, over allegations of possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The CBI had subsequently filed a chargesheet before the competent Special Court on December 22, 2022 .

The ED said its investigation found that during the check period from January 1, 2015, to December 3, 2021, the assets of Kipgen and his family members increased substantially and were disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of approximately Rs 1.99 crore.

The investigation further revealed that unaccounted funds allegedly earned from illegitimate sources were kept by Kipgen's father-in-law for safe custody.

The funds were subsequently deposited into his bank account and transferred to Kipgen, his wife and third parties, or used for direct payments to vendors on Kipgen's instructions.

According to the ED, the funds were used for purchasing land in the name of Kipgen's wife and constructing a residential building on the land, it said.

The transactions were allegedly presented as gifts from the father-in-law, who, according to the ED, did not have the independent financial capacity to make such gifts.

The ED further stated that illicit and unaccounted funds constituting proceeds of crime were utilised for the acquisition and/or construction of the two immovable properties.

One of the properties is held in the name of Seikholen Kipgen, while the other is held in the name of his wife, Vahneithiem Lucy Kipgen, the ED said.

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