IMPHAL, August 26: Prof L Sekharjit Singh has been removed prematurely from the post of director, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an order to this effect on August 25.
It may be mentioned that Prof Sekharjit took charge as director of RIMS on September 14, 2010 and his tenure was to expire on September 13, 2015.
The order signed by a deputy secretary of the ministry said the director has been “relieved of his duty as director with immediate effect,” and that Prof Chongtham Arunkumar will take charge of the post.
The new director officially took charge of the post at 1 pm today at the RIMS administrative block.
Chongtham Arunkumar is a present professor of the Department of Orthopedics and hails from Singjamei Mathak Chongtham Leikai.
It may be mentioned that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a case against Sekharjit on charges of corruption regarding irregularities in the supply of dental chairs and other misappropriations.
According to sources, the CBI has submitted the FIR copy to the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East on May 23, 2014.
The non-bailable case bears number Criminal Miscellaneous case number 41 of 2014 reference RC number 6 (A) 2014/IMP under section 120-B, 420 of the Indian Penal Code, read with 13 (2)/13 (1) (D), Prevention of Corruption Act.
Other respondents in the case also include Dr Rajiv Ratna Singh who is professor of Dental College, chief accounts officer Elangbam Devendro, professor H Shanti Singh of Anesthesia department and Lal Gopal of M/S Mukherjee Enterprise, Thakur Road, Kolkotta.
Mukherjee Enterprise is the supplier of dental chairs.
The CBI represents the State as the petitioner in the case and sources said that more investigation is underway to frame a charge sheet against Dr. Sekharjit.
It may also be mentioned that there is another CBI case against former RIMS director, Prof. L Fimate.