The inquiry into the alleged misuse of police vehicles, details of which were leaked to the press yesterday, is not final and the officer named in relation to the inquiry should have his story heard, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said.
According to the high-level inquiry, there were several irregularities in the purchase and allotment of police vehicles by Gabriel K Iangrai, including misuse of fuel. The inquiry also found that a total of 29 vehicles were in his “personal custody” and that he used the vehicles for personal purposes.
Despite the cloud hanging over him, the Home Department transferred but did not suspend Iangrai, who had, until then, been Assistant Inspector General (A). He will now take over SF-10 as Commandant.
Rymbui said that, if found guilty, Iangrai should be punished. After seeing newspapers, including Highland Post, publish details of the leaked report today, he held a meeting with the Director General of Police, LR Bishnoi, who had initiated the inquiry.
“I had a meeting with the DGP today to inquire what all this was about. He informed me that the fact finding report hasn’t been finalised. After finalisation, it will be submitted to him,” Rymbui said, while expressing concern that it had been leaked before being finalised.
The minister also had an issue with the description by the media of the alleged irregularities as a scam. If what was published is true, he felt that it is more of a “misuse of power” rather than a scam.
Meanwhile, the opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) has demanded the immediate suspension of the police officer named in the inquiry report.
The East Khasi Hills unit of the TMC said that the party is appalled by “the systematic looting and misuse of authority” by certain police officials, which dents the whole force’s credibility.
“How can such an officer hold so many official vehicles in his personal possession while other outposts are lacking basic necessities and even proper vehicles to travel? It is ironic that such officers could be shielded by others knowing fully well what was going on in the department. It is utterly shocking that while junior officers and low ranking constables are made to travel in rickety vehicles and accommodated in difficult environments, here we have an officer who even uses a police truck for his personal needs,” the TMC said.
