Stanlywiss Rymbai arrested for multi-crore land scam

SHILLONG: Former Congress legislator Stanlywiss Rymbai was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the multi-crore land scam in Ri Bhoi.
Meghalaya DGP S. B Singh confirmed the development.
After the CID arrested Rymbai, he was produced before the District and Sessions Judge on Wednesday evening and was remanded in judicial custody.
However, since Rymbai complained of ill health, he was admitted in Shillong Civil Hospital for treatment.
The former Umroi MLA had received Rs 8 crore from the Forest and Environment Department for land acquisition for afforestation at Mawpalai. This was despite the fact that the land was already in the possession of the Soil and Water Conservation Department. The case has been lingering for the last four years.
In the past, the Public Accounts Committee which took up the matter had directed the state police to speed up investigation into the land scam.
After Rymbai’s  name figured in the CAG report as embroiled in the Mawpalai plantations scam, the former MLA had claimed that he was authorised by the village to hold the power of attorney  to purchase the land.
A few years ago, the State government had also filed a money suit at Nongpoh (Court of Assistant to DC) to recover the amount from Rymbai.