IMPHAL, Sept 10 - Former Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has said he would welcome investigation by any agency and cooperate with it in the alleged Rs 186.79 crore MDS scam.
Claiming that he was not involved in any �irregularity in the MDS case and did not sign any cheque�, Ibobo Singh dared competent authorities to check the Manipur Development Society account and see �whether any cheque counter-signed by him was utilised in withdrawing money.�
Chief Minister N Biren Singh had said yesterday that a CBI inquiry will be recommended in the alleged MDS scam, in which Ibobi Singh has been booked, once the preliminary police investigation is completed.
Ibobi Singh told a press conference yesterday that the FIR, charging him of cheating, breach of trust and criminal conspiracy in connection with the alleged MDS scam, was �very unfortunate�.
Ibobi Singh, who served as the CM from 2002 to March 2017 before Biren Singh BJP-led government came to power, expressed dissatisfaction that the FIR was lodged without �any specific evidence�.
He said, he has �no alternative but to take necessary legal help.� The former CM also claimed that the State Vigilance Commission was directed by him to conduct an inquiry into the alleged misuse of funds in the MDS, during his term as the CM, but it could not proceed further after the change of government in March this year.
Answering to media queries on the possible political motives in the case, Ibobi Singh said that he wanted the people to judge �whether it was politically motivated and a move to tarnish his image.�
The former CM had received an anticipatory bail in an interim order after he applied for the bail from the Manipur High Court on September 6. The court has fixed September 20 for the next hearing.
Meanwhile, the ongoing search at the residence of former project director of MDS Y Ningthem was carried out for the sixth day today. A police official said that some files were seized during the search operation.
The MDS scam is related to alleged misappropriation of funds allotted to MDS for development of infrastructure for water sports in the Loktak lake. � PTI
