The People’s Progressive Alliance Manipur (PPAM) has approached the Governor of Manipur, seeking a time-bound vigilance inquiry and criminal action against former Commissioner (Law) Nungshitombi Athokpam over allegations that she exercised the powers of Joint Secretary of the Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) without lawful appointment.
In a memorandum submitted to the governor, PPAM referred to a fresh complaint filed by advocate Okram Nutan-kumar Singh before the Manipur State Vigilance Commission, alleging unauthorised exercise of official powers by the former law officer.
According to the memorandum, Athokpam served as Commissioner (Law) from 2010 to 2018 and functioned as Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) from March 7, 2010, to December 20, 2018, during a period when the MHRC was reportedly largely non-functional in the absence of a chairperson.
PPAM alleged that Athokpam issued an official order on February 1, 2018, in her capacity as “Joint Secretary, MHRC”, appointing six individuals to various posts in the Commission, including a Stenographer Grade-III, an LDC, a driver, two peons and a chowkidar-cum-sweeper.
Questioning the legal validity of the appointments, the organisation cited an RTI reply from the Department of Personnel, Manipur Secretariat, dated July 7, which reportedly stated that the department had not issued an appointment order for the then Joint Secretary, MHRC, and that no such order was available in its records. The Law and Legislative Affairs Department is the administrative department of the MHRC.
PPAM contended that the alleged exercise of powers without a valid appointment raised serious questions about administrative authority, service rules and the legality of the appointments.
The organisation also referred to a complaint filed in March 2025 by former Additional Superintendent of Police Th. Brinda with the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department, seeking legal action against Athokpam over the alleged misuse of Rs. 55.41 lakh between 2010 and 2017.
PPAM has urged the Vigilance Commission to conduct a comprehensive, time-bound investigation into whether Athokpam was legally appointed as Joint Secretary, whether the post was created or sanctioned during the relevant period, and how she exercised administrative and financial powers in the capacities attributed to her.
The memorandum cited several provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to impersonation of a public servant, disobedience of law by a public servant, cheating and forgery, stating that criminal liability would arise if the allegations were established.
PPAM urged the Governor to direct the registration of an FIR and a thorough investigation into the allegations. It also sought the annulment of appointments allegedly made without lawful authority.
