The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken steps to freeze three properties in Manipur as part of a money‑laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The move, announced on Thursday, shows the ED’s growing focus on corruption in public institutions.
### Properties Seized
The ED “provisionally attached” three immovable assets worth about ₹71 lakh on September 30th. The assets include:
* A residential house held by Konsam (O) Sheityabati Devi, wife of former Manipur University finance officer K. Jiban Kumar Singh, valued at ₹23.95 lakh.
* Two agricultural plots owned by contractor Lourembam Rameshwar Meitei, owner of Lourembam Enterprises, worth ₹48 lakh.
These properties are now under the ED’s control pending further investigation.
### The Allegations
The case began after a complaint from the Anti‑Corruption Branch (ACB) at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Imphal. The FIR—filed on various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Prevention of Corruption Act and other laws—accuses several Manipur University officials of colluding with Rameshwar Meitei to defraud the university.
Key officials named in the complaint include:
* K. Basanta Singh
* K. Jiban Kumar
* N. Tejendro Singh
* Former Vice‑Chancellor H.N.K. Sarma
Officials allegedly abused their positions to award a tender for furniture to Lourembam Enterprises without following proper procedures.
### How the Scheme Worked
The university allegedly received a false invoice from Lourembam Enterprises for ₹64,36,502 worth of furniture that was never delivered. The contractor then added an extra installation fee of ₹9,65,476, making the total invoice ₹74,01,978. All the money was paid to the contractor’s account, giving him a large illicit gain.
To obscure the fraud, the officials claimed the missing furniture had been destroyed in a fire at the university’s recreation hall. This cover‑up caused significant financial loss to the institution and kept the money in the hands of the conspirators.
### ED’s Findings
After taking possession of the properties, the ED confirmed that:
* The university broke General Financial Rules and contravened Rule 148 by awarding the tender without following the required procurement process.
* Rameshwar Meitei did not provide the furniture as ordered.
* The ₹74 lakh paid to him is a clear proceeds of crime under the PMLA.
### Next Steps
The ED is still gathering evidence. All three properties currently belong to the department, and any further legal action will depend on findings from the ongoing investigation.
The case underscores the growing crackdown on corruption and money laundering involving public officials, especially in education. As more details emerge, the ED will decide on the next legal steps to confiscate the ill‑earned assets and pursue criminal charges against the accused.
Source: ianslive
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