DIMAPUR, MAY 26: Two persons alleged to have been involved in the fraudulent withdrawal of more than Rs 65 crore were granted anticipatory bails by the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court on Thursday.
On April 11, the Rising People’s Party (RPP) had filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Meluri Police Station in Phek district against a contractor and an engineer for allegedly withdrawing Rs 65,67,27,000 against two road projects without completing the works as specified in the work order.
On Wednesday, the Court heard anticipatory bail applications filed by separately by Lhousakuolie Metha, the contractor, and Abija Khing, an engineer.
They told the Court that the RPP had lodged an FIR against them for “non-completion of 2 work projects, namely construction of road from Akhen to Star Lake and construction of road from Lephori to Molhe Post”.
Following the FIR, the Meluri police summoned the two applicants under Section 41 A of the CrPC to report before the Superintendent of Police, Phek on May 27 (Friday).
Apprehending arrest by the police, the applicants went to the Court seeking pre-arrest bail.
“After hearing the learned Counsel for the parties, this Court is inclined to grant pre-arrest bail to the applicant(s) with the condition that the applicant(s) shall appear before the Superintendent of Police, Phek on May 27, 2022 and in the event of his arrest, the applicant(s) shall be released on executing a bail bond of Rs 50,000 with 2 local sureties of the like amount”, read the order issued by Justice Kakheto Sema.
The Judge listed the case to be heard again on June 3.
While addressing a press conference at Dimapur on May 24, RPP had suggested a larger conspiracy while maintaining that the series of events which followed the alleged withdrawal of money could not have done without the knowledge of the Chief Minister and the Finance Department.
(Page News Service)
