Manipur: ED Attaches Rs 1.99 Crore Properties in Money Laundering Case Involving Former Customs Inspector
Imphal, Manipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached two immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 1.99 crore in Manipur’s Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts in connection with a money laundering investigation involving former Customs and Central Excise inspector Seikholen Kipgen and his wife, Vahneithiem Lucy Kipgen.
According to the ED, the properties include land and residential structures and have been attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
ED Action Follows CBI Disproportionate Assets Case
The latest action stems from a disproportionate assets case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Branch, Imphal, under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI had alleged that Kipgen accumulated assets beyond his known sources of income during the period between January 1, 2015, and December 3, 2021.
A chargesheet in the case was reportedly filed before a Special Court on December 22, 2022.
The ED subsequently initiated a money laundering investigation based on the underlying allegations.
ED Alleges Rs 1.99 Crore in Unaccounted Assets
During its investigation, the ED alleged that Kipgen had accumulated approximately Rs 1.99 crore in unaccounted assets during the period under scrutiny.
The agency is examining the source and movement of the funds and their alleged use in acquiring properties and constructing residential assets.
According to the ED, Kipgen allegedly handed over cash to his father-in-law for safekeeping.
The money was subsequently deposited into bank accounts belonging to the father-in-law and was allegedly transferred to Kipgen, his wife and other individuals.
The agency also alleged that some of the funds were used to make direct payments to vendors on Kipgen’s instructions.
Land and House Allegedly Purchased Using Funds
The ED alleged that a portion of the money was used to purchase land in Vahneithiem Lucy Kipgen’s name and construct a residential house.
According to the agency, the transactions were allegedly shown as monetary gifts received from Kipgen’s father-in-law.
However, the ED said its investigation indicated that the father-in-law did not possess sufficient independent financial resources to provide gifts of such substantial value.
The agency is therefore examining the alleged transactions as part of its money laundering investigation.
Two Properties Provisionally Attached
The two properties attached by the ED are located in Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts.
One of the properties is registered in the name of Seikholen Kipgen, while the other is registered in the name of his wife, Vahneithiem Lucy Kipgen.
The combined value of the attached immovable properties has been assessed at approximately Rs 1.99 crore.
The attachment is provisional and has been made under the PMLA as the investigation into the alleged proceeds of crime continues.
Investigation Remains Ongoing
The ED’s investigation is focused on tracing the alleged source of the funds, the movement of money through bank accounts and the manner in which the assets were acquired.
The agency is also examining the alleged role of individuals who were involved in the financial transactions.
Further action may follow depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation and related legal proceedings.
Disclaimer: The allegations regarding disproportionate assets, unaccounted funds and money laundering are based on claims made by investigating agencies. The allegations have not been treated as proven facts unless established through the appropriate judicial process.
