The Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPCL) office at Keishampat and its managing director Nandeibam Sarat's residence located at Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai, Imphal West were raided by a probe team led by SP Shrey Vatts Monday morning in connection with a case of fund misappropriation allegedly by MSPCL officials.
The simultaneous raid began at 9 am and ended around 5 pm in the evening at the Thangmeiband Yumnam Leikai residence of the Managing director and at his office located at Keishampat.
The raid was a part of an investigation recommended by Manipur Lokayukta in the fund misappropriation case amounting to Rs 9,45,80,605 of MSPCL’s contract work for construction of 2x1 MVA 33/11 KV Sub-Station Chakpikarong along with the associated 33 KV line and related civil works on turn-key basis under NLCPR executed by Shyama Power (India) during the period from December 2009 to December 2015.
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Subsequently, Manipur Lokayukta conducted a preliminary inquiry and found prima facie evidence against some officers. Accordingly, the Lokayukta recommended Shrey Vats to investigate the case by registering the case under Crime Branch Police Station on February 7, 2022.
However, MSPCL officers, including MD Sarat of MSPDCL approached the High Court of Manipur challenging the recommendation made by Manipur Lokayukta’s power and jurisdiction to make recommendations to MSPCL officials.
The Manipur High Court on July 4 stated that the Manipur Lokayukta has the power and jurisdiction to make recommendations to MSPCL officials who challenged the recommendations of Manipur Lokayukta in connection with the misappropriation of huge amounts of money, questioning the jurisdiction of recommendation by Manipur Lokayukta.
While conducting the investigation, the investigating officer (Shrey Vats) will not be under the supervision of his senior officer of his department or the station where the case is to be registered.
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The investigating officer shall take necessary action to complete the investigation of the case within six months from the date of registration of the case at the Crime Branch Police Station, Imphal. It is also made clear that the investigating officer while investigating the case will not be under the supervision of his senior officer of his department or the station where the case is to be registered, and it is for the purpose of maintaining the sanctity of Manipur Lokayukta and for not interfering with the proceeding of the case before the Manipur Lokayukta and inquiry and investigation are parts of the proceeding of the case filed before Manipur Lokayukta.
It also recommended that MSPCL managing director and two other general managers be removed from their posts or entrusted with the function or duties, till the completion of the investigation.
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