Imphal, December 08: The Judicial Magistrate 1st Class Imphal East has today allowed that the money recovered by Imphal East police from Kshetri Bengoon area on December 4 be returned to the owners on their furnishing the necessary Zima bonds before the Court.

The Court's ruling followed six different Zima bonds filed by the respective owners of the recovered money.

The money totalling Rs 14,81,500 was kept inside a Jeep and the vehicle was waylaid by unidentified gunmen at Sawombung area on December 3.The money was however recovered by Imphal East police the next day from Kshetri Bengoon area.

The Zima applicants said that they are partners in the timber business and the total amount was forked out together with five partners shelling out Rs 2.5 lakh each while the sixth member forked out Rs 2,51,500.On December 3, at about 9.30 am they hired a Jeep (MNIA/7362) to go to Kasom Khullen to buy timber, said the applicants who have been named as Kh Babu, Ksh Shantikumar, AK Surchand, Ksh Sunita Devi, Dayamati Devi and AK Kunjarani Devi.

The money was kept inside the Jeep and they proceeded towards Ukhrul side for the transaction on December 3.At about 11.30 am, unidentified gunmen hijacked the vehicle at Sawombung area, they said.

On learning that the money has been recovered by the police the next day, they approached the Court to return the amount to them.

The Court opined that there was no dispute about the petitioners being the rightful owner of the recovered money and ruled that the money be returned to them.

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