Former LDA project director Thounaojam Ibobi on Thursday filed anticipatory bail in connection with the alleged money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Justice Kh Nobin of the Manipur High Court heard the bail plea. While admitting the plea, the court directed the ED not to arrest Th Ibobi till the next date of hearing scheduled on February 5.
The bail plea was filed on the basis of the summon notice issued by ED on January 11 that Th Ibobi should appear before the ED directorate on January 28.
The petitioner filed anticipatory bail on January 23 but the court heard the plea on Friday. The court directed Th Ibobi to extend full co-operation to the ED until the next hearing.
It is learned that a case was registered by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption PS, Manipur u/s 420/120-B IPC & Section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988 against former chief minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi (chairman of LDA), Ch Gojendro former project director LDA, Y Ningthem, former chief secretaries DS Poonia, PC Lawmkunga and O Nabakishore, on March 24, 2018.
The ED reportedly sought documents from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Th Ibobi had already filed anticipatory bail in connection with the case. The court had given bail to Th Ibobi on August 26, 2019. However, after a gap of one year, the ED summoned him to appear before it on January 28.
The CBI registered a case on November 20, 2019 against Okram Ibobi Singh, who was the chairman of MDS, three former project directors and an administrative officer of the MDS under IPC and PC Act under the request of the state government.
It was alleged that Ibobi Singh, while working as chairman of MDS from June 30, 2009 to July 6, 2017, in conspiracy with others, misappropriated government funds to the tune of Rs 332 crore out of the total amount of Rs 518 crore which was entrusted to them for the purpose of executing development work in Manipur.
