Lokayukta issues bailable arrest warrants over graft charges

TURA, May 28: Reacting to their failure to appear before the Court of the Lokayukta, bailable arrest warrants have been issued against former secretary of the GHADC, Rikse Marak (current CEO of Tura Municipal Board) as well as the retired principal secretary, Hewing A Sangma.
The warrants come in the case filed by Flaminbirth Marak, former member of the NGEA and six others over allegations of corruption. The order was passed on May 25 with the next hearing set on May 29.
The Lokayukta set the bail amount for Rs 20,000 for each of the former officers of the GHADC.
The case by the former Non Gazetted Employees Association (NGEA) members also named the former CEMs Dipul Marak and Benedic Marak, Phulbari and then Shyamnagar MDC, SG Esmatur Mominin, contractor and sister in law of and James Sangma, Twinkle NA Sangma. The case has been filed by the NGEA members over the non implementation of various projects, misappropriation of funds from the GHADC coffers as well as not adhering to the central guidelines in the implementation of schemes.
A preliminary investigation conducted by the director of inquiry for the Lokayukta, FD Sangma was carried out following which the officers had been asked to appear before the Court. Their apparent refusal to do so has led to the Court ordering a bailable arrest warrant against them.