Meghalaya Lokayukta, PK Musahary has directed the Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills to investigate the case of corruption of the Shialkandi VEC under the Demdema C&RD Block.
The case in question pertains to one Ahinur Islam against Mokbur Hussain and others. While Ahinur was represented by lawyer PT Sangma, no one came forward to represent the respondents. Incidentally the respondents against whom the complaint was filed did not even acknowledge the notice sent by the Lokayukta, despite it being served by the local police.
In the complaint, Ahinur had alleged that 47 job card holders had not been paid their wages while also pointing to huge anomalies in providing job cards with even dead persons and government servants being given cards.
“The State Police, as directed by this forum made the inquiry and submitted a preliminary report which showed the allegations to be true. The BDO had provided job cards to at least nine dead persons as well as government servants against the current guidelines. There are also cases of non-payment, under payment of and employment of dead card holders,” stated the Lokayukta report.
Further the court observed that the BDO had appointed the VEC functionaries without election apart from committing irregularities and corruption of public funds. It also observed that despite complaints by the card holders to the DPM, no action had been taken other than suspension of the VEC functionaries and an order to refund the money – which was not complied with.
While the Lokayukta observed that the contractors were not public servants and as such could not be prosecuted by the Court, they were still liable for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
“Prosecution of the contractors may be possible provided some Government functionaries are found involved and prosecuted for offence of corruption and the contractors are also found involved in corruption. Prima facie, the case of misuse of power and misappropriation of funds have been found,” observed the Court.
“It can be concluded that justice could be done if the matter is referred to police for proper and in-depth investigation and taking appropriate steps as per the law. The SP of WGH is directed to treat the representation as FIR, register it under proper section of law and investigate the matter within 7 days from the date of receipt of this order,” stated the order by the Lokayukta.
The investigation, as directed by the Court, would be supervised by an Additional SP of West Garo Hills district.
