High Court closes pending Manipur Lok Ayukta case
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 15 2023:
A judgment of the High Court of Manipur passed on October 11 closed a case filed by one Ngangom Ibotombi Singh at Manipur Lok Ayukta in connection with a scheme.
The high court cited lapse of time while closing the pending case (No 5 of 2022) filed at Manipur Lok Ayukta.
An order passed by Manipur Lok Ayukta on September 8, 2022 in connection with a case filed by Ngangom Ibotombi of Oinam bazar, Bishnupur district against former MSPCL managing director N Sharat accused the latter of misappropriating public fund.
The case relates to construction of a 2X5 MVA, 33/11KV sub-station at Sugnu with MSPCL directed to produce all documents relating to the power sub-station project.
The project, however, was completed on August 14, 2015 and it was more than seven years back that the complaint regarding the project was filed at Manipur Lok Ayukta.
As per Section 53 of Manipur Lok Ayukta, it is clearly mentioned cases over seven years old need no enquiry.
Nevertheless, Manipur Lok Ayukta suggested in two separate orders that MSPCL shall produce all documents related to the project.
Apart from this, administrative secretary and deputy secretary of power department were directed to present before Manipur Lok Ayukta on October 10, 2022.Regarding the case, the high court passed an interim order on September 29, 2022 but Manipur Lok Ayukta challenged the order and prayed for vacating the same.
The high court then dismissed Manipur Lok Ayukta's plea on December 19, 2022 and the earlier order was made absolute order too.
In its observation made on December 19, 2022, the high court said that Manipur Lok Ayukta did not honour the statement given by Manipur government and the statutory body is being utilised by some people to produce official documents and records for their personal gains.
The court also observed that such acts are akin to giving harassment to someone and government officials in the name of investigation.
Challenging the December 19, 2022 order of the high court, Manipur Lok Ayukta fi;ed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) at the Supreme Court of India and the apex court disposed the SLP on February 3, 2023.Regarding the SPL, the apex court gave its observation after thorough study of submission of both the sides that the high court should complete the petition within three months.
The high court reconsidered the case and both the petitioner and respondent of the SPL filed at Supreme Court were issued notices to attend the court.
However, petitioner Ng Ibotombi Singh did not turned up and the case was dismissed on October 3, 2023 .
The observation made by the high court was that any complaint filed at Manipur Lok Ayukta must fulfil all the conditions laid down under Section 141 of the Manipur Lok Ayukta Act.
However, the complainant in this particular complaint failed to fulfil the conditions.
The Manipur Lok Ayukta had taken up several actions regarding the complaint but refused to entertain government statement against the complaint.