After the President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur, several of the State’s legislators received calls from a person who allegedly identified himself as Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah and offered them ministerial positions for a sum of ₹4 crore, police officials said on Monday (February 17, 2025).
President’s Rule was imposed in the State on February 13 and the legislative Assembly has been placed under suspended animation, keeping the doors open for the possibility of government formation in the future.
Late on February 15, Manipur Police posted on X that it had received complaints about fraudulent calls from unknown individuals attempting to influence and mislead MLAs by exploiting the ongoing political situation in the State. “With regard to this, an FIR has been registered in Imphal PS and necessary legal action is underway. It is hereby warned that those involved in such fraudulent activities will face strict and strong legal consequences. Investigation is in full swing,” police said.
A police officer said on Monday that Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh was among those who received the call.
Mr. Singh told The Hindu that he received a call from an unknown number on WhatsApp.
“For the past 3-4 days (before February 15), I was getting repeated calls on WhatsApp from an unidentified number. There was no display picture. When I called back on the number, the person said he is Jay Shah and demanded ₹4 crore for government formation. I have reported the matter to police,” he said.
The Police has registered a case under Sections 318 (4) and 319 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The sections pertain to cheating and cheating by personation.
“We are investigating the call and someone impersonating as Jay Shah has been making these calls to MLAs. It appears to be a fraud,” said a police official.
A political crisis had emerged in the northeastern State after BJP leader N. Biren Singh stepped down as the Chief Minister on February 9 following a meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah. The State BJP leadership failed to reach a consensus on who should replace Mr. Singh.
On February 14, Sambit Patra, BJP in-charge of Manipur, said that President Droupadi Murmu had put the State Assembly under suspended animation, “meaning the Assembly can be revived on a future date as and when the President of India deems fit, depending on the circumstances in the State”.
More than 250 people have been killed and around 60,000 people displaced in the ethnic violence between the tribal Kuki-Zo and the Meitei people in the State that erupted on May 3, 2023.
