Manipur News

Court rejects Ningthem’s bail application; several files seized

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 4

A police team led by sub-divisional police officer A. Ghanashyam Sharma today raided the plush home of former project director and presently officer on special duty of Manipur Development Society (MDS) Yambem Ningthem at Lamlongei Maning Leikai, Mantripukhri today.

The raid began at 6 am in the morning and was still continued at the time of filing this report.

The police team was seen talking to Ningthem in the presence of his wife. The police seized several files of MDS projects which were kept at his residence. The police also checked his laptops and searched the contents.

The state vigilance commission had in its inquiry report stated that Ningthem had kept several files pertaining to MDS projects at his residence.

Earlier today the district and sessions judge, Imphal West today issued house search warrant against Ningthem in connection with multi-crore MDS scam.

A case was lodged against Ningthem and five others including former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh on September 1, alleging huge financial irregularities totalling Rs.185.79 crores were committed.

The others in the FIR included former chief secretaries, D.S. Poonia, P.C Lawmkunga, O. Nabikishore Singh and also S. Ranjit Singh (administrative officers, MDS).

The FIR was lodged against them by Dr. Th. Muhindro Singh, joint secretary planning, government based on findings of the investigation conducted by the state vigilance commission.

Ghanashyam filed a plea seeking search warrant under section 93 Cr.P.C.

In his plea the SDPO submitted before the court that as per the inquiry report it has been indicated that the official and staff of MDS had not observed prescribed procedures, established norms and extant rules scrupulously, thereby facilitating the misappropriation of government funds of total liabilities of Rs.185.79 crores and prayed for issuing house search warrant.

Having examined the report submitted by the I.O report, the court found “sufficient grounds” for issuing house reach warrant and issued the same.

The same court also today rejected anticipatory bail plea of Ranjit Singh, administrative officers, MDS.

In his bail plea, the accused’s counsel submitted that the petitioner is working as an administrative officer in MDS and that the allegations made against Ranjit were “vague and baseless.”

However, the court observed that charges levelled against the accused are of criminal breach of trust, cheating, conspiracy and criminal misconduct by public servant, which are of serious offences and as such this court is not inclined to entertain the prayers of the accused and thereby rejected the bail plea.

Our Bureau

IMPHAL | Sept 4

Women should fight for their rights and get justice. When a man and woman produce a child, it is their responsibility to take care of the child and not leave them. Greed makes a person the way he behaves.

This was stated by governor Najma Heptulla following the screening of Manipuri feature film, ‘Nangna Kappa Pakchadey – Tears of a Woman’ at the Durbar hall, Raj Bhavan, here today.

Appreciating the works of the producers and the actors, she said that she would try to make some shows outside Manipur. The movie gave a message that women should be independent and not beg for anything, she added.  

She continued the movie focuses on the sufferings of a young village woman and her child left by her husband and denied of her rights. In spite of her young age she took the challenge to take the responsibility of the child and lives for the child. This kind of life, seen in all parts of the country, is the problem of the society, she added.

Further the governor said the film is so beautifully produced and so simple. There is no melodrama but a true story, she added. She also said that she had been working, nationally and internationally, for the empowerment of the women and had come across the same condition in other parts of the world.

Remembering a discussion with an African woman, she said that the woman collects firewood, cooks food, feed the children and husband go into the forest for a long walk and do not work. It is the woman who works. The story was the same everywhere. However, today the things are changing and that is the message of the film, she said.

She also expressed her desire to dub the film into Hindi or other languages instead of English as people in other country will have problem with the language and people will see more.

The film is the 5th production of PK films directed by Makhonmani Mongsaba, produced by Thouyangba and Thoungamba and story by Late Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi. The film, produced in the year 2013, has been screened in many international film festivals and has recently received the special judge award with the title ‘Epic Mirror of the Century’ from Kinshasa International Film Festival (KIFF).

Tonthoi, Denny, Leibakshemba are the lead actors with Sorojini, and Pishak supporting the movie. Many well-known women working in the field of women empowerment and other art lovers attended the screening.