Arunachal cash stash: FIR against BJP nominee’s son, former MLA
Prabin Kalita | TNN | Apr 8, 2019, 06:08 IST
Guwahati: Following allegations that cash amounting to Rs 1.8 crore was seized from the possession of a BJP candidate’s son and a former legislator, Arunachal Police have registered an FIR to investigate the incident. The FIR was lodged at Pasighat police station in Siang East district following directives issued by the Election Commission and endorsement of a chief judicial magistrate’s court.
Arunachal’s additional chief electoral officer Kanki Darang had earlier confirmed that Rs 1 crore was found in a vehicle owned by the Christopher Perme, son of Dangi Perme, who has been fielded by BJP from the Mebo assembly constituency. Another cash stash of Rs 80 lakh was seized from a second vehicle, registered under the name of the deputy secretary of the state transport department, Darang had further said, adding that a former MLA, Ralom Borang, has claimed the money was his.
According to the FIR, Perme and Borang have been charged with “giving a gratification to any person with the object of inducing him or any other person to exercise any electoral right”, interfering or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right, bribery and “undue influence or personation at an election.”
The FIR added that the nodal officer of the flying squad received the information over telephone at around 9.30 pm about mobilization of a huge amount cash at Siang Guest House. The nodal officer, Dakto Riba immediately moved to the guest house where he found a “large number of aggressive youths” and they were demanding to search two vehicles parked there, on suspicion that there were cash inside.
The nodal officer informed the Pasighat deputy commissioner Kinny Singh and SP Prashant Gautam, who rushed to the spot along with video surveillance teams. On searching the two vehicles, a Scorpio and a Fortuner, the amount was recovered.
The FIR stated that the Scorpio from which Rs 1 crore was recovered belonged to Perme, son of Dangi Perme of Mebo. The remaining Rs 80 lakh was recovered from the Fortuner vehicle, which was registered in the name of deputy secretary of state transport department, the FIR said.
“Since the seized amounts exceeded Rs 10 lakh, the information was passed on to Income Tax (department) instantly, according to the SOP for cash seizure issued by office of CEO, Arunachal Pradesh. The seized cash amount was handed over income tax officials,” the FIR stated, adding that an investigation has been initiated into the matter.
Earlier, Congress had alleged that the cash was seized from Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu’s convoy. Khandu had later said that the allegation was completely false.
Arunachal’s additional chief electoral officer Kanki Darang had earlier confirmed that Rs 1 crore was found in a vehicle owned by the Christopher Perme, son of Dangi Perme, who has been fielded by BJP from the Mebo assembly constituency. Another cash stash of Rs 80 lakh was seized from a second vehicle, registered under the name of the deputy secretary of the state transport department, Darang had further said, adding that a former MLA, Ralom Borang, has claimed the money was his.
According to the FIR, Perme and Borang have been charged with “giving a gratification to any person with the object of inducing him or any other person to exercise any electoral right”, interfering or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right, bribery and “undue influence or personation at an election.”
The FIR added that the nodal officer of the flying squad received the information over telephone at around 9.30 pm about mobilization of a huge amount cash at Siang Guest House. The nodal officer, Dakto Riba immediately moved to the guest house where he found a “large number of aggressive youths” and they were demanding to search two vehicles parked there, on suspicion that there were cash inside.
The nodal officer informed the Pasighat deputy commissioner Kinny Singh and SP Prashant Gautam, who rushed to the spot along with video surveillance teams. On searching the two vehicles, a Scorpio and a Fortuner, the amount was recovered.
The FIR stated that the Scorpio from which Rs 1 crore was recovered belonged to Perme, son of Dangi Perme of Mebo. The remaining Rs 80 lakh was recovered from the Fortuner vehicle, which was registered in the name of deputy secretary of state transport department, the FIR said.
“Since the seized amounts exceeded Rs 10 lakh, the information was passed on to Income Tax (department) instantly, according to the SOP for cash seizure issued by office of CEO, Arunachal Pradesh. The seized cash amount was handed over income tax officials,” the FIR stated, adding that an investigation has been initiated into the matter.
Earlier, Congress had alleged that the cash was seized from Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu’s convoy. Khandu had later said that the allegation was completely false.
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