The Lokayukta Court of Meghalaya has charge-sheeted a former Chief Executive Member and eight former Executive Members of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), two contractors and a former Principal Secretary of GHADC in connection with misuse of funds in implementation of various projects.
The Lokayukta charge-sheeted them under Sections 12 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act on the basis of the investigation report submitted by the investigating officer and member of the inquiry wing of the Lokayukta Anil Sangma.
The charge-sheeted MDCs included former CEM Denang T. Sangma, former EMs – Augustine R. Marak, Brilliant R. Sangma, Dipul R. Marak, Kurosh M. Marak, Winninson Ch Marak, Dolly K. Sangma, Bhupen Hajong and Sukaram K. Sangma.
The two contractors who have also been charge-sheeted are Sanjay A. Sangma and Dolrich D. Sangma.
It may be noted that Sanjay A. Sangma is the NPP MLA from Mahendraganj constituency and also the brother-in-law of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Former Principal Secretary of GHADC Hewingson A. Sangma has also been charge-sheeted.
It may be mentioned that a complaint has been lodged by social worker Kingstone Bolwari Sangma before the Lokayukta against Sanjay A. Sangma and others for non-completion of construction of MDC Hostel at Tura amounting to Rs 6,01,31,100.
The money was allotted on the project under Special Assistance of Central Plan Scheme for the period of 2015-16 whereby the Union Finance Ministry has released Rs 100.71 crore as grant-in-aid to the GHADC to develop the Scheduled Tribes area.
The Lokayukata has conducted the preliminary inquiry and found prima facie that there were irregularities with regards to the implementation of various projects and subsequently directed for conduct of detailed investigation.
In compliance with the direction from the Lokayukta, Anil Sangma who is the member of inquiry wing of Lokayukta carried out the detailed investigation and has submitted his inquiry report to the Lokayukta which decided to file charge sheets against the accused persons.
Sangma has also submitted the charge-sheet and inquiry report to the Special Court, Tura which has passed the order taking cognisance of the same. The court has also registered the case and fixed the date for appearance on August 29.
