MLA L Jayantakumar Singh on Thursday clarified that the vehicle seized along with opium by a team of Narcotics and Affairs of Border (NAB) is not related to him as the said vehicle was already sold to one Salam Khelen Singh of Tinsid Road, Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, Imphal East.
Addressing the media at his Pishumthong Oinam Leikai residence in Imphal West, the MLA said that the details of the vehicle are included in election affidavit as the vehicle was sold on February 12 after the filing of nomination paper for Phase I Manipur State Assembly Election, 2022.
As per ‘deed of sale’, it is mentioned that the vehicle (Toyota Fortuner), bearing registration number MN06LA 3456, was sold to Salam Khelen Singh, son of Salam Bobi Singh of Tinsid Road Khurai Chingangbam Leikai, Imphal East.
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The deed also mentions one assistant professor, Maibam Haripriya Devi as witness.
Jayantakumar further said the paperwork for transfer of ownership of the vehicle has already been completed from his side and that only changing of name of the owner was left. The delay on changing the name of the ownership might be due to engagement of transport officials related to the election, he added.
He appealed to the concerned authorities of the transport department to avoid delay in changing names of ownership of a vehicle as similar cases might happen to some innocent persons.
Meanwhile, Salam Khelen, the younger brother of S Khogen, who was arrested along with opium by a team of NAB, confirmed that his brother is not related with the MLA.
He said the vehicle was bought from L Jayantakumar on February 12 and that he has all the related documents including the court affidavit. As the model code of conduct of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election had already started and the transport officials were engaged in connection with the election, he failed to change the ownership of the vehicle in time, he said. He appealed to the people not to take L Jayantakumar in a wrong way.
