Lokayukta charge sheets ex-GHADC CEM, 10 MDCs in corruption cases

TURA, May 24: In a first for the state of Meghalaya, the Lokayukta on May 18 filed a chargesheet naming former GHADC CEM Boston Marak, former GHADC Secretary Hewingson Sangma, 10 MDCs as well as a few contractors after it found them to be involved in a case of corruption involving public funds.
The Lokayukta further recommended that a special Court be set up in Tura so that action can be taken against those named in the chargesheet.
The Lokayukta heard a case filed by social activist, Nilbath Ch Marak of Williamnagar, in 2019 against the then MDC of Asanang, Ismail Marak and contractors, Nikseng Sangma and Kubon Sangma for withdrawing funds from the Council without any work being done on the ground.
Besides Boston Marak and Hewingson Sangma, the chargesheet names Mark Goera Marak, Righteous Sangma, Jimbirth Sangma, Levastone Sangma, Winnison Ch Marak, Rupert Sangma, Kenedick S Marak, and Dhormonath Sangma and called them out for indulging in corruption.
The investigation in the case was undertaken by Walsall M Momin of Tura police station.
After the Lokayukta found prima facie evidence of corruption, an order seeking a CBI inquiry was issued before it was challenged in the High Court of Meghalaya vide a writ petition. The high court then sent the case back to the Lokayukta.
The inquiry lasted close to a year before an investigation report was filed before the court.
Following the findings of the investigation, which included the misappropriation of Rs 28 crore of central funds in which the MDCs were involved, the Lokayukta issued its order on May 18, stating: “The director of prosecution will submit the case records to the Public Prosecutor of West Garo Hills to initiate prosecution in a special Court of Tura. The exhibit seized shall be handed over to the prosecuting inspector of Tura Court for safe custody.”
The Lokayukta further ordered maintenance of a subsidiary register for the exhibits seized in connection with the cases.