Official shot at for 145;corruption146; found

Board of Secondary Education Manipur BSEM Joint Director Ph Nandakumar Sharma, who was shot in the knee reportedly as punishment for corruption by the KYKL on Tuesday evening, was found abandoned by locals a little outside the state capital.

Board of Secondary Education Manipur BSEM Joint Director Ph Nandakumar Sharma, who was shot in the knee reportedly as punishment for corruption by the KYKL on Tuesday evening, was found abandoned by locals a little outside the state capital.

Sharma was found with a bullet wound just below the left knee and was shifted to a local medical centre before being transferred to a private nursing home in Imphal. He is said to be out of danger.

Sharma was suspended by the state government in September 2006 for his alleged role in illegal appointments of staff to the BSEM despite a ban on recruitment.

Interacting with the media while in KYKL 8220;custody8221; on Tuesday, Sharma had 8220;confessed8221; that he had paid Rs 50,000 to Education Minister L Jayentakumar as bribe for revoking his suspension. He also claimed that Jayentakumar had sent an official note to the Commissioner, Education, on July 20 in this regard.

Jayentakumar today refuted Sharma8217;s claims as 8220;ridiculous8221;, telling The Indian Express that he had not taken any money. 8220;I don8217;t know why he is saying something like this. Maybe he8217;s trying to malign me, or maybe he is scared of militant wrath and has named me. It could also be that my political rivals have made him say this about me. It is true I had sent a note asking for his suspension to be revoked, but I was only abiding by rules and regulations, which specifically say that in departmental action, all investigations and disciplinary action should be completed within six months from the date of suspension,8221; Jayentakumar said, pointing out that Sharma had been suspended for much more than that.

8220;He is yet to resume his work though as the investigations are not complete. I have asked BSEM members to complete these at the earliest,8221; he said.