Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 31
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the fuel adulteration case has filed charges against 14 accused arrested following the June 27 raids in Dimapur by the police. The SIT head, IGP (Range) Wabang Jamir informed on October 31 that the “first charge sheet was filed against the accused arrested so far” on October 25. It was filed at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dimapur.
Following the raids, a total of 14 people have been arrested while two separate FIRs were registered at Diphupar and West Police Stations. 6 were arrested by the Diphupar PS and 8 more by West PS.
IGP Jamir said that the investigation will continue, while the SIT waits for more reports from “various agencies.” Among the reports awaited by the SIT includes the forensic reports of hydrocarbon and other chemical samples collected from the suspected adulteration sites raided by the police.
Without disclosing much, Jamir added that a total of 75 samples were sent for laboratory analysis with the SIT so far having received the reports of 26 samples. He added that supplementary charges will be filed after assessing other evidences and reports. Asked how the forensic reports would implicate the investigation, Jamir maintained he cannot comment at this stage.
During the October 18 meeting of the Chief Minister with the Coordination Committee on Fuel Adulteration (CCoFA), the CM had asked for 7 days to allow the SIT to file charges. At the meeting, the CM was quoted as stating that if the charge-sheet was not upto expectation, an independent inquiry will be initiated. The CCoFA had also maintained that the department of Food & Civil Supplies (F&CS) should also be included within the parameter of the investigation.
At the time it was also reported that the ‘Terms of Reference’ of the SIT was expanded to include the (F&CS). Information though remains vague on how far the SIT has investigated the Food & Civil Supplies complicity on the adulteration of fuel.
Meanwhile, the CCoFA has yet to see the charge sheet filed on October 25. One CCoFA member said that the committee cannot make any comment “till we see the charge sheet.”
