Pillai scandal: Nagaland police to sever contract with tainted cop

Kohima, June 14 (EMN): Nagaland’s former additional superintendent of police and consultant of the state police’s motor transport wing, MKR Pillai faces termination of his contract with the department with immediate effect following a bust on his disproportionate assets case by Income Tax (IT) sleuths.
DGP Nagaland, LL Doungel said a decision to this effect was taken today and an official order will follow. Talking to reporters in his office chamber, the police chief said the department is unable to initiate any investigation or action yet without evidence as the raids took place outside the state (in Kerala) by the IT department and there has not been any intimation from the latter.
“Action should be taken on the basis of certain evidences. We don’t have anything to go by at the moment,” Doungel said, adding that the department could not do anything unless it is established that there is a criminal act or an economic offence was committed. However, he confirmed that the decision to terminate Pillai’s contract was made largely because of media reports so as to allay any misgivings from the public.
It is learnt that Pillai was employed as a consultant for the Motor Transport (MT) and Modernisation of Police sections since 8-9 years back. His consultancy was renewed at intervals as the duration of a single contract is for 1-2 years. But it was not clear how the consultancy was renewed as the appointment was not made directly by the department.
On why the department needs a consultant for motor transport division, DGP Doungel said the consultancy was utilised for the many areas of functions and dealings with the ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Pillai who has ‘probably developed’ a strong contact base with officials in the MHA over the years, acts as a facilitator for the cause and projects of the department to the ministry. The DG emphasized that Pillai facilitates the whole process, but otherwise jointly operates with the designated cadres in the department.
Doungel recalled that he was attending the union home minister’s conference in Mizoram when he came to know about the case. After returning to Nagaland, he said he had a talk with Pillai about the whole issue, and was told that he (Pillai) had made and asset declaration of Rs 50 crores recently, then IT sleuths raided and went through his returns and found disproportionate amounts. Now, the official disclosed that the accused consultant’s CA would make a report and submit to the IT department, then only a scrutiny will be made and verdict will follow.
On the Nagaland police truck that was allegedly found in one of Pillai’s properties at Pandalam in Kerala, DGP Doungel said the department will have to check into the duty-details to establish how and why it was there.
On the Vigilance department’s suo moto case against Pillai, DGP said the area of focus is on the consultancy, on how he was appointed and the terms of appointment.
Doungel also clarified reports in the media that Pillai was staying at the DGP’s house, terming them as ‘very malicious rumours’. He stated that Pillai has his own place and he does not need to stay with him (DGP).
On the allegations that Pillai is usually in charge of all the finances of the Police Head Quarters (PHQ), Doungel said the area where Pillai deals with allowed him to have a wide hand in the finances. Pillai is said to be in Kohima currently, however, attempts to contact him for his version of the issue remained fruitless.

Governor wants ‘bias-less inquiry’ 
Governor PB Acharya has also voiced his displeasure over the issue where a consultant whose services being used by the state is under the IT scanner. “I am very much concerned and I felt ashamed that it should happen in Nagaland,” he stated.
The Governor while addressing a press conference at the Raj Bhavan Wednesday evening, said he has already written to chief minister Dr Shürhozelie to take immediate action and order a bias-less inquiry into the matter. He said he had also discussed the matter with the chief secretary today.