The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has recently made headlines by attaching immovable assets worth Rs 96 lakh in a high-profile money laundering case centered around the construction of the new High Court Complex in Kohima, Nagaland. This action, taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, is part of an ongoing investigation involving seven individuals, including contractors and engineers from the Nagaland Public Works Department (PWD).
The investigation was triggered by an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Imphal. The FIR detailed allegations of misappropriation of public funds totaling approximately Rs 3.61 crore during the construction project. The accused include contractors Avituo Sekhose, Mhalelie Rio, Thepfusatuo Rio, and Vibeilietuo Kets, as well as PWD engineers Er Yapang Jamir, Er MI Tongjok Ao, and Er K Nikato Assumi.
The CBI has filed two chargesheets in this case:
Chargesheet One: Accuses contractors Avituo Sekhose, along with PWD engineers Er Yapang Jamir, Er MI Tongjok Ao, and Er K Nikato Assumi, of committing offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860. The total amount involved in these alleged offenses is approximately Rs. 80.25 lakh.
Chargesheet Two: Names contractors Thepfusatuo Rio, Mhalelio Rio, and Vibeilietuo Kets. They are accused of similar offenses under IPC, with the total amount involved being approximately Rs 29.68 lakh.
According to the CBI, these individuals allegedly committed offences punishable under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, involving fraudulent activities and the misuse of public funds.
The ED’s investigation revealed that the accused contractors were engaged in criminal activities that resulted in wrongful loss to the government. In this case, the ED has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 96 lakh, which are linked to the accused contractors.