Former Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Chief Executive Member, Boston R. Marak, along with three others have moved the Meghalaya High Court challenging the order of the Meghalaya Lokayukta which charge-sheeted them in a corruption case.
In his order passed on May 18, Chairperson of Meghalaya Lokayukta, Bhalang Dhar, ordered the Director of Prosecution to submit the case records to the Public Prosecutor of West Garo Hills, Tura to initiate prosecution in a Special Court of West Garo Hills, Tura against the 13 people who have been charge-sheeted under section 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Boston Marak, former MDC Ismail Marak along with 11 other former MDCs, staff and contractors of the (GHADC) were charge-sheeted by the Lokayukta.
Boston along with three other petitioners in their plea before the High Court had sought for setting aside the order of the Lokayukta.
During hearing of their writ petition in the High Court today, their lawyer S Dey told the court that the Lokayukta’s order has been passed without following due procedure and also in violation of the principles of natural justice, since under Section 21 of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2014, the petitioners were not given any opportunity of being heard before proceedings was initiated against them.
Besides Boston Marak, the other former MDCs who have been charge-sheeted include Mark Goera B. Marak, Winnison Ch. Marak, Jimbirth R. Marak, Levastone T. Sangma, Righteous N. Sangma, Rupert M. Sangma, Kenedick S. Marak, Dhormonath Ch. Sangma, and Ismail Marak. GHADC Secretary Hewingson A. Sangma and two contractors – Kubon Sangma and Nikseng Sangma were also charge-sheeted in the case.
The case relates to a complaint filed by Nilberth Ch. Marak in the court of Lokayukta on May 2, 2019 against Ismail Marak, ex-MDC of Asanang, for alleged misappropriation of funds amounting to Rs 1 crore for various projects in the Asanang constituency. According to the complainant, a total of 49 projects were allocated to Asanang constituency. However, it was alleged that these projects were poorly implemented and money for the projects was allegedly siphoned off.
