The forgery and cheating case against a revenue officer of the Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) and the chairman of Kangleipak Apunba Sinpang Lup (KASIL) before the Special Judge (PC), Imphal West has been closed as the available materials were not sufficient for taking cognizance of any of the offences as alleged in the FIR.
The IO of the case submitted a final report of closing the case as sufficient materials could not be established against the accused persons namely Oinam Milan (49), s/o Kokngang of Wangkhei Hijam Leikai, Chairman of KASIL and Kshetrimayum Gyanendra (48), s/o Lukhoi of Lairikyengbam Leikai, Revenue Officer (RO) at Imphal Municipal Corporation.
An FIR No. 12(1)2019 City PS under Sections 420/468/1208 IPC & 13 PC Act, 1988 was registered against them based on News published on one local newspaper wherein the president of Khwairamband Keithel Street Vendors' Welfare Union of Temporary Market alleged that when they approached the RO of IMC for vendors license, the RO Gyanendra advised them to discuss the matter with Oinam Milan, Chairman of KASIL and follow Milan's instructions for processing the license. Accordingly, the members of union met Oinam Milan, who allegedly took Rs 30,000 each from 330 vendors in the month of June as the fees for issuing vendors' license and later they were issued the license bearing seal and signature of Revenue Officer of IMC, asking them to use the license for a period of six months only. They believed that the whole amount collected from them was to be deposited at IMC, but when they visited the IMC, they were told that their vendor licenses were not valid. Relying on the newspaper report, a suo moto case was registered by SDPO Imphal.
During the investigation, it was found that the alleged street vendors’ littering cards were prepared and issued legitimately. Hence, Section 420 & 468 IPC against the accused persons could not be made out as there was no cheating and forgery of any document. Moreover, Section 120-B & 13 PC Act could not be established against the accused persons as the main witnesses clearly stated that they had never mentioned about giving money directly to Ksh Gyandendra Singh. The report further stated that no room of conspiracy between the accused persons is established and that there is no sufficient evidence of taking money by any one of the two accused persons.
Therefore, the IO of the case submitted the final report of closing the case and the court, after examining the records, accepted the FR stating that no purpose will be served by directing the investigation agency for further investigation of the case. Moreover, the available materials are not sufficient for taking cognizance of any of the offences as alleged in the FIR, the Court said.
