Imphal, June 01: In a sensational verdict, Dist and Sessions Judge Manipur West has rejected as many as eight anticipatory bail applications filed by the same number of officials working in Education Dept (S) pertaining to fake appointment cases.

The court headed by Th Surbala rejected the pre-arrest bail applications yesterday viewing that the investigation of the FIR case is in its early stage and that the accused are highly suspected for committing the offence.

The proscribed KYKL, under its ongoing campaign ONK launched to root out corruption from the education Dept had recently unearthed several fake appointment case in the school education Dept and subsequently punished three oficials of the Dept for masterminding the fake appointments.

Following the outfit's exposure, the Govt has begun an internal probe and placed under suspension the three masterminds including two DIs and one AI.

Another two employees were also suspended yesterday after the same outfit exposed the same offence.

The eight anticipatory bail applicants, in their respective applications categorically stated that they are innocents in the related FIR case but they have been implicated in the same.

They further stated that they had no such capacity to be involved in the alleged crime and prayed before the court to release them on bail if they are arrested in connection with the FIR.

The pre arrest bail applicants, all residents of Churachandpur are working under the ZEO of the Dist.

They are J Thangzalian (46) Hanship HS, Kaikhanlian Guite (44) AI DI ZEO, T Khupchipou (53) Asst bill clerk ZEO, Damzakham (54) DI ZEO, L Lalpienglien (46) AI ZEO, Lienchongkhung Hmar (54) Sr Acct ZEO, S Pumkhokam (46) UDC in DI office and Paukam Tonsing (48) cashier ZEO.

The reference FIR connected with the applicants case was registered by Churachandpur PS u/s 409/402/468/471/120-B IPC and 13 (2) of the prevention of Corruption Act.

Interestingly, the police have initiated the FIR following a complaint lodged by the ZEO Churachandpur Boboi Gangte, who was also arrested by the police in connection with the fraudulent withdrawal of over Rs 12 crores as pensions of retired head pandits.

Boboi on May 30 had also filed a pre arrest bail before the same court and since she was arrested on the same day, the counsel did not turn up on the next day.

A fresh anticipatory bail application was also filed today by one Letkhopao Haokip, Asst teacher at Vungbuk Govt Junior High School.

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