SHILLONG, Nov 2: Over two months after an inquiry team had exposed a “vehicle scam” and blatant overstepping of jurisdiction and authority with regards to procurement of vehicles and their misuse by the then Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Administration) Gabriel K Iangrai, the Special Investigating Team (SIT) of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), led by DIG (Eastern Range) Davis Nestell R Marak, arrested the tainted official for his involvement in the case of misappropriation of funds in the police headquarters (PHQ), an exposé of which was published in this paper.
The arrest came after simultaneous searches were conducted at the residential premises of Iangrai at Lumshyiap, Chanmari, Upper Golf Links, his official quarter at Golf Links, and his farmhouse at Rtiang, Umsning in Ri-Bhoi.
The searches led the investigating team to “many incriminating documents, cash and material objects” which were seized.
Hours after his arrest, Iangrai was brought to Shillong Civil Hospital on a stretcher. As journalists to take photographs and record videos of him being brought in, a female cop tried to prevent them from doing so.
The CID had, on October 28, registered a case against Iangrai under the Prevention of Corruption Act and constituted an SIT to oversee the case.
It could not be ascertained as to whether Iangrai was admitted or not at the time of filing of this report.
Iangrai had moved an anticipatory bail plea before the High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday, which was listed for Wednesday. However, the judge recused from the hearing.
The plea was withdrawn and filed before the Special Judge. But before the matter could be heard, the accused was arrested, sources said.
An internal inquiry had found Iangrai involved in acquisition of 29 vehicles that were unregistered and deployed for his personal use.
The Mukesh Kumar Singh-led inquiry committee had said that the conduct of AIG (Administration) GK Iangrai in the entire matter reflects gross negligence of duties and his conduct in the entire matter is unbecoming of an officer.
The probe team also recommended some suggestions which included constitution of a departmental inquiry against all erring officials to fix the responsibilities for all the lapses that had occurred.
The report says that a high-level fact-finding inquiry should be formed to go into the details of the entire ‘scam’, since the inquiry report might not reflect its entire magnitude.
A comprehensive SOP should be prepared for procurement of vehicles, handing over, and taking over records maintained at more than one place for cross verification of records, the inquiry team had said.
Surprisingly, Iangrai was promoted and appointed as Commandant of the elite Special Forces-10 of the state despite the exposé.
What is still in the pipeline is Meghalaya Lokayukta’s summons to former DGP R Chandranathan and GK Iangrai for hearing on November 15 in connection with a complaint asking the panel to probe the misuse of vehicles in the PHQ.
Govt prepares
for suspension
After much dilly-dallying and following a streak of denials, the state government has finally decided to suspend Iangrai. The MDA Government, it may be recalled, had promoted the scam-tainted official as Commandant of the elite Special Forces-10 the same day the exposé was reported.
Earlier, while refuting any scam in procurement of vehicles, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had said:
“…it is not correct to jump to conclusions from the Press side and start using big words to get the attention of the public. It does not look proper.”
Sangma had also stated that the vehicles were procured through the Government e-Marketplace portal and purchased as per the procedures and norms.
Although the state government looks all set to suspend the officer, there is no indication that the case could be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or other central agencies.
Soon after Iangrai’s arrest, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that the government has no other option but to suspend the officer.
“Let the law proceed and let us reach the final conclusion, we will see what is to be done,” Tynsong said
Asked if the matter should be handed over to CBI or other central agencies for a detailed probe, Tynsong said that action has been taken and let the law enforcing agency will take care of everything.
He added that since the issue has also found place in the High Court, every detail of the matter will be available in black and white.
