The state government has appointed four Lokayukta investigation officers as replacements for those who were sacked last month.
It was reported that three IOs were unceremoniously sacked via WhatsApp messages. It was this trio who had unearthed an alleged scam worth crores of rupees that purportedly involved a sitting MLA, Sanjay A Sangma, who is also the brother-in-law of the Chief Minister.
The scam in question relates to the construction of a hostel for MDCs of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Tura. The project is worth more than Rs 6 crore.
On the recommendation of the Meghalaya government, the Lokayukta Chairperson, Bhalang Dhar, has appointed Israel W Ingty as the Director of the Inquiry Wing and three other members – Challang G Momin, John Clitzer and Baniateilang Deingngan.
Ingty is the Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. The other three are serving police officials. Ingty was selected from three Secretary-ranked officials considered for the role, the other two being FM Dopth, and Renette C Sohkhlet.
Ingty takes over from the previous Director of Inquiry and Prosecution, J Rymmai. The other two officials removed from the Lokayukta’s office were Anil K Sangma and R Pde, both enquiry-cum-investgating officers.
Following their investigation, the court of the Lokayukta had charge-sheeted nine former GHADC executive committee members, two contractors, Sanjay Sangma and former Principal Secretary of the GHADC.
The investigation followed a complaint by activist Kingstone B Sangma. The MDC hostel was funded by the central government.
