SHILLONG: The Opposition Congress has vowed to pressurise the MDA Government to withdraw the petition filed in the High Court challenging the direction of the Lokayukta for a CBI probe into the illegal transportation of coal.
Coming down heavily on the MDA Government for filing the petition, Opposition leader Mukul Sangma accused the ruling side of having a mala fide and criminal intent to stop investigation into the matter.
Stating that the anti-graft body was constituted to fight corruption and it is doing its work as per the mandate, Mukul questioned as to who is that powerful person who has the guts to go against the order of the Lokayukta.
“What is the reason and what is the intent behind challenging the order,” Mukul said.
Alleging that the state government is deliberately delaying the whole process to destroy evidence and go scot free, he, however, reiterated that the opposition will not allow this and pressure the government to withdraw the petition filed before the court.
“The anti-graft body is not there for cosmetic purpose but to create deterrence and ensure corruption free governance,” he said even as he slammed the Meghalaya Government for not arming the body with sufficient strength.
According to Sangma, this is another manoeuvre of the government to see that the body does not deliver to its full potential.
Reiterating that there is a cartel going on who are getting all the necessary protection from the government by way of stopping the anti graft panel from conducting inquiry, Mukul urged the people of the state to join hands in party’s bid to ensure that the government withdraws its petition.
The division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya has deferred the hearing to Wednesday on the petition filed by the state government against the order of the Lokayukta for the CBI probe into the coal racket.
The state government challenged the order of the Lokayukta by stating that the directive to have a CBI investigation is beyond the jurisdiction of the anti-graft panel.
Besides, the affidavit of the government also pointed out various pending cases against Abdul Ahad Choudhury, who is supporting the petitioner Abhijit Basumatary, who had sought the intervention of the Lokayukta for the CBI probe into the alleged coal scam and transfer of Meghalaya officials to facilitate a fair investigation.
