Kohima, March 24 (EMN): Chief Minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu disclosed today that more than 40 persons were arrested in connection with the 2016 fuel adulteration case in Nagaland adding 14 were charge-sheeted after investigation while three police personnel were suspended in connection with the case.
Replying to a starred question raised by BJP MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon on the status of the case during the third sitting of the ongoing budget session, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Food & Civil Supplies portfolio, stated that three police cases were registered in connection with fuel adulteration. He said in the first case, 13 persons were arrested and released on bail pending investigation, while 6 persons were charge-sheeted after investigation. In the second case, he said 15 were arrested during investigation and 8 were charge-sheeted after investigation. As for the third case, Liezietsu said 5 persons were arrested but investigation could not be completed so far as the main accused is absconding.
Raising a supplementary question, MLA Kikon asked on the difficulty of the investigating officers in nabbing the absconding accused and also questioned the intent of the investigating team. To this, the chief minister highlighted the case No.3 saying it was registered basing on inquiry report regarding pilferage of the seized alleged adulterated hydrocarbon which was seized on June 28, 2016, adding the case was registered with the West Police Station, Dimapur, in the presence of witnesses.
He said on August 2, 2016, an investigating team went to the scene of crime to reassess the seized items and found significant differences in the quantities. The chief minister said the inquiry report indicated serious lapses on the part of police officials while reporting the quality of alleged adulterated fuel in the container.
He pointed out that after conducting inquiry and confirming pilferage, a case was registered against members of the syndicate for stealing huge quantity of hydrocarbon, tempering evidences, criminal conspiracy and other related offences. Stating that pilferage were being kept at two sites in Ghorapatti, he said investigation revealed that approximately 4000 litres each of the alleged adulterated fuel were drawn from two containers.
In this case, Liezietsu explained that three policemen were suspended for dereliction of duty and non-maintenance of absolute integrity during the seizure and safeguarding the scene of crime.
Stating that police is doing its best to arrest all accused, the chief minister, however, said the main accused one Ramesh was unable to trace.
To the MLA’s second supplementary question on whether an SIT was constituted for the case, former chief minister TR Zeliang replied that a team of 8 member SIT team was constituted headed by IPS Wabang Jamir. The other 7 members of the team were officers of Dimapur DEF. Zeliang also stated that the case is now pending in the judicial court.
