The Meghalaya High Court has allowed the State Lokayukta to go ahead with its investigation against former Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Secretary Hewingson A. Sangma who was accused of involvement in corruption.
In an order passed today, the division bench of the High Court however said that if there is need to arrest Sangma, it has to be with the permission of the High Court.
The High Court passed the order on a writ petition filed by Sangma who challenged the order of the State Lokayukta on May 18 charge-sheeting him and as many as 10 MDCs of the GHADC, the former secretary of the Council as well as a few contractors for their involvement in corruption.
Citing Section 20 of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2014, Sangma pointed out that the order issued by the Lokayukta Chairperson was not valid in view of the requirement under Section 20 (3) of the Act that such a matter has to be considered by a bench consisting of not less than three members before requiring investigation by any agency.
Besides Sangma, the charge-sheet of the Lokayukta named former GHADC Chief Executive Member Boston Marak, Mark Goera Marak, Righteous Sangma, Jimbirth Sangma, Levastone Sangma, Winnison Ch Marak, Rupert Sangma, Kenedick S Marak, Dhormonath Sangma and Ismail Marak. Two contractors Nikseng Sangma and Kubon Sangma were also charge-sheeted.
