TURA: In a major development in the fight against corruption, the Lokayukta in Meghalaya has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over the investigation of its first ever Lokayukta case in the state during a hearing held on Wednesday in Shillong.
The direction by the Lokayukta to the CBI to investigate a corruption case pertains to an elected Congress MDC of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Ismail Marak of Asanang (Rongram) constituency.
Social activist Nilbath Ch Marak had filed an RTI against the MDC’s use of public money for developmental works which revealed large scale anomalies in the implementation of the GHADC development funds for the year 2017-2018.
The MDC allegedly gave contracts to the tune of Rs 1 crore to two of his friends, Nikseng Sangma and Kubon Sangma, but none of the projects were implemented on the ground.
“The Lokayukta Commissioner (LC) has asked for CBI to take over the investigation in the case as it was not happy with the investigation by the local police team. The CBI is supposed to file a charge sheet in the case by the next hearing on Aug 27,” informed lawyer Pillan T Sangma, who is representing Nilbath in the case.
The Lokayukta Commissioner also sought the constitution of a prosecution wing to be functional under a director.
“The case has given to the CBI as there is no prosecution wing for the Lokayukta. In this regard, the LC has directed the chief secretary for the creation of a prosecution wing under the aegis of a director. This is to be done under Sec 25A of the CRPC,” added the lawyer.
The lawyer also added that affidavits of their response in the current case, was also filed by the three people accused in the case.
