Morung Express News Dimapur | November 24 The case of the Rs 3.5 crore in denotified notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, which was seized at the Dimapur airport on November 22, continued to remain shrouded in a haze even two days after the incident grabbed national attention. As Income Tax (IT) officials remained tight-lipped on the status of the cash linked to Naga businessman, Anato Zhimomi, speculation was rife while several news agencies carried varying versions of the incident. While the version of how the cash was discovered and seized by airport security and released appeared uniform, no conclusive reports emerged to clear the air as to what happened subsequently. IT officials based in the North East Region, including the public relations officer, when contacted for information declined to make any comment in relation to the case. “The case is under the purview of the IT investigation wing” was the common refrain maintained, while the regional head of the IT investigation wing could not be reached. Official sources in Nagaland confirmed on Wednesday the recovery of the cash in Dimapur on the evening of November 23. The sources informed that the amount of Rs 3.5 crore in demonetised denominations was recovered at a fuel outlet owned by Anato Zhimomi in a raid conducted by a team of IT officials from Guwahati. As regards the status of Zhimomi and the Haryana-based businessman, who reportedly brought the cash, the sources disclosed they were intercepted by IT sleuths after they landed at Delhi on November 22. As per the sources, they were being “examined” and under the scrutiny of IT officials in Delhi. A bank account with over Rs 4 crores belonging to Zhimomi was also “frozen”, it was added.
