CBI raids FOCUS Project office in Kohima over funds misappropriation allegations

KOHIMA — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday conducted a raid at the office of the FOCUS project which is located at the state Agriculture department’s complex, in connection with alleged misappropriation of funds in the FOCUS Project.

FOCUS project, which is also known as Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming System in the North East, is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Sources told Eastern Mirror that the raid began during the morning office hours and continued till late evening. The office complex was guarded by the local police and the Nagaland Lokayukta personnel who are reportedly in joint operation with the central agency.

It was informed that about six officials from CBI and officials from the Nagaland Lokayukta conducted the raid in connection with a financial misappropriation case that originated in 2023, and involves several lakhs of rupees.

Though the amount could not be verified, sources from the state Home Department informed this newspaper that a case was filed against some officials in Delhi, and the CBI is handling the investigation.

Another source stated that the FOCUS State Project Director (SPD), Deputy SPD, and another official were allegedly involved in the case as they were found transporting huge amounts of cash at an undisclosed airport. The cash, amounting to several lakhs, was reportedly deducted from funds designated for various districts.