Lokayukta orders bailable warrant of arrest against three accused

Shillong, April 29: The Chairman of  Lokayukta, B Dhar has issued a bailable warrant of arrest for Rs 20,000 each to three persons who were involved in the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for development works under GHADC.

The Lokayukta issued the order through the SP, West  Garo Hills on April 20 while taking up the pending case of 2019 involving Nilberth Ch. Marak Vs Ismail Marak and two others.

Nilberth had filed the complaint against  Ismail Marak and two other contractors-  Kubon Sangma and Nikseng Sangma.

This was the first case before the Lokayukta filed by Nilberth through his counsel  PT Sangma.

Earlier, the Lokayukta had on July 24, 2019 directed the CBI to investigate into the matter, including filing of charge sheet on the basis of the materials collected.

However, being aggrieved by the Lokayukta order, Kubon and Ismail moved the High  Court challenging the order of the Lokayukta for CBI inquiry and also the vires of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act, 2014 .

However, the court in its order on April 6, 2021 had disposed of the petition in view of the amendment of the Lokayukta Act, 2014 by Meghalaya Lokayukta (Amendment) Act, 2021 and accordingly the case was reverted to the Lokayukta .

The new Chairman of Lokayukta fixed the matter for appearance of all the parties on  March 25 this year and later another date-April 20 was fixed but the respondents failed to appear.

Hence, the Lokayukta ordered bailable warrant of arrest for Rs 20,000 each to all the respondents who failed to appear on April 20. Earlier, the case was filed for non- implementation of the project allotted to the Asanang GHADC  constituency, West Garo Hills.

As many as 49 projects were allotted to  Asanang constituency for 2017-2018 and all the projects were given to two contractors, Kubon and Nikseng.

A preliminary inquiry report was submitted by the Investigation Officer i.e Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Raksamgre Sub-Division on June 3, 2019 through the Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills.

It was found that out of 49 developmental projects meant for Asanang GHADC constituency, only one Graveyard Shed was constructed at Balupara and one water tank in Daljagre.

As per the reply to RTI query, Rs 1 crore was allotted for all 49 projects  to Asanang  constituency for 2017-2018.