CBI registers case against former Manipur chief minister
The investigating agency carried out searches at nine different locations, including Aizawl, Imphal and Gurugram in connection with the caseSingh allegedly conspired and misappropriated nearly ₹332 crore in govt funds that were earmarked for development work, CBI officials said
New Delhi: In a major setback for former Manipur chief minister and Congress leader Okram Ibobi Singh, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday registered a case against him and five others for alleged misappropriation of ₹332 crore of government funds. The investigating agency carried out searches at nine different locations, including Aizawl in Mizoram, Imphal in Manipur, and Gurugram in connection with the case.
The agency has alleged that Singh, former chairman of the Manipur Development Society (MDS), allegedly conspired and misappropriated nearly ₹332 crore in government funds that were earmarked for development work, CBI officials said.
“It was alleged that the accused while working as Chairman of Manipur Development Society from June 2009 to July 2017, in conspiracy with others, misappropriated Government funds to the tune of Rs. 332 crore (approx.) out of the total amount of Rs. 518 crore (approx.) which was entrusted to them for the purpose of executing development work," the CBI said in a statement.
The probe agency has also charged Y. Ningthem Singh, the former project director of MDS, D.S. Poonia, a retired Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer, former chairman of MDS, P.C. Lawmuknga, also former chairman of the MDS, O. Nabakishore Singh, ex-chairman MDS, S. Ranjit Singh, an administrative officer of MDS and others in the case following a “request by the Manipur government and further Notification from Government of India."
Addressing the media, Ibobi Singh said, “Whether it is CBI, ED (enforcement directorate) or NIA (national investigation agency), they are most welcome and I'll give full cooperation to them. Let them investigate, the truth will prevail. Anyone who is involved in misuse of public money, shouldn't be spared."
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