Edu scam: Ampareen house, four other places searched

NEW DELHI/ SHILLONG: The CBI on Friday searched five locations in Meghalaya, including the residence of an MLA and the office of Directorate of Elementary and Mass Education in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment of teachers in 2008-09, officials said.
The locations searched included the residence of Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh, who was the education minister at the time of the scam, in Laitumkhrah. Two hard discs were taken from Lyngdoh’s computer.
As the investigation needs further time, the CBI has petitioned the registrar of the High Court of Meghalaya for three more months.
Earlier, the deadline set by the Court to complete the probe was by May 2. Court is yet to examine the plea for extension of time after it had granted six months since November 2 last.
The CBI had registered case against Lyngdoh, senior IAS officer PS Thangkhiew and others in connection with the education scam.
Acting on the orders of the High Court of Meghalaya, the CBI started investigation after registering the FIR against Lyngdoh under various sections of the IPC related to criminal conspiracy, forgery and criminal breach of trust.
Besides Lyngdoh’s residence and office of Directorate of Elementary and Mass Education, Shillong, search was conducted at the Tura residence of retired director J D Sangma, the residence of retired deputy director in Jowai and the city residence of one of the retired deputy directors.
(With inputs from PTI, Delhi)