IT News
Imphal, April 24:
In a distressing attempt to stifle press freedom, Imphal Times has been served with a legal notice of defamation by Laishram Saratchandra, through his counsel Momota Thounaojam. The matter pertains to our coverage of the appointment irregularities surrounding Laishram Saratchandra’s appointment to the position of Superintending Engineer and later promoted to Chief Engineer in charge in the Education Department of the Manipur government. The legal notice with a damage suit of Rs. 24,55,000/ was received today.
Our earlier report titled “Manipur Govt. flouts norms, appoints diploma holder as Chief Engineer in Education Department” was aimed at shedding light on the irregularity committed by the concerned government department in the appointment of a Chief Engineer in charge in the Engineering cell of the Education Department. In the report, through our investigative efforts, we revealed that Laishram Saratchandra was appointed Chief Engineer in charge in the Engineering Wing of the Education Department, contravening established regulations.
Upon careful examination of the legal notice, we have become aware of pending cases at CJM I/W and the High Court which are relevant to this matter. Imphal Times was not previously privy to this information. Imphal Times has not published or printed out the report with the intention of interfering or obstructing the administration of justice. Imphal Times clarifies that the report was based solely on documents and evidences, and does not infringe upon any ongoing legal proceedings. Moreover, Imphal Times has been running a campaign since the establishment of this newspaper on January 9, 2013, against irregular appointments, corruption, and malpractices in various departments in the state.
The legal notice said that the allegations have been made by Imphal Times “without any basis” and is “purely engineered on malice.” However, Imphal Times has meticulously reviewed the concerns raised regarding Laishram Saratchandra’s appointment, including the accompanying certificate indicating his attainment of an engineering degree in 2022.
It is evident that the appointment of a diploma holder to the position of SE and later Chief Engineer violates government rules and regulations. Typically, a Chief Engineer requires a candidate to hold an engineering degree rather than just a diploma as per established norms. This newspaper stands firm in its commitment to journalistic integrity and is prepared to face any consequences that may arise from our reporting. For public information, Imphal Times hereby presents a copy of the degree certificates of Laishram Saratchandra. Imphal Times remains dedicated to uncovering the truth and holding those in power accountable for their actions.
Given this revelation, we are initiating further investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Laishram Saratchandra’s appointment and to determine any potential violations of government rules and regulations. We are committed to addressing this matter with the utmost seriousness and ensuring compliance with all relevant guidelines.
