Imphal, June 11: The uniform scam in which the then CO of 2nd Mr N Ngairapam and two subordinate officers were accused of misappropriating Rs 55,03,505 is back in the news as the police submitted relevant documents and charge sheets against the trio before the Special Judge Manipur East.

The court has made out prima facie cases against the three officials CO Ngairapam, Asst CO K Pishak and Havildar (Store in charge) Jasobanta Singh after perusing the records submitted by the police.

It fixed another date for trying the three officials and the consideration of the charges against them.

The court has informed the accused persons for the trial, a highly placed source said.

The facts of the case dates back to 1990 wherein a tender for supplying uniform items to the personnel of the Manipur Rifles and the State police personnel was floated.

Later a Line Committee comprising 9 officials of the State police Okayed the supply items after which all the uniform items were kept in the respective custodies of the 1st and 2nd Bn Manipur Rifles.

In April 1992, the then DGP ordered the distribution of the items to respective COs and SPs of the State.

However, after the distribution, the SPs and COs of Churachandpur.

Bishnupur, Tamenglong and Ukhrul Complained of getting lesser number of uniform items for the personnel of the districts.

When investigated the shortage was detected to have originated from the custody of the 2nd MR.The missing uniforms were valued at around Rs 55,03,505.The Imphal police then registered an FIR case against the trio under sections 409/466/468./471/120-B IPC and 13 (C) PC Act, 1968.The investigation was started in July 1993 by the CID (Crime Branch).

The State Chief Secretary had in August last year issued prosecution sanction against the officials, the source added.

In another case, the special court, Manipur East today granted bail pleas of former Health Director Dr Hemchandra, former Addl director H Shyamcharan and current cashier cum head clerk L.Joykumar Sharma.

The Court allowed the bail application on medical ground on furnishing a PR bond of Rs 40,000 with a surety of the same amount each.

The three along with current Addl.

Director were arrested by the police on the charge of misappropriating over Rs 22 lakhs of the Health Directorate fund.

Another accused Dr Devankumar has already been released on bail by the same Court.

During today�s proceeding, the counsels who appeared in favour of the trio submitted before the Court that the three officials were not concerned with financial matter as it should be dealt with by the AC who sits in the State Secretariat.

Comment