SHILLONG, Aug 2: The Meghalaya Lokayukta has charge-sheeted 12 people, including National People’s Party’s Mahendraganj MLA Sanjay A. Sangma, for non-completion of the construction of the member’s hostel, Tura.
Sangma was a contractor of the project amounting to Rs 6,01,31,100. It was taken up a few years ago.
Besides the sitting MLA, the others named in the chargesheet include former GHADC chief executive member Denang T. Sangma, former MDCs Augustine R. Marak, Brilliant R. Sangma, Dipul R. Marak, Kurosh M. Marak, Winninson Ch. Marak, Dolly K. Sangma, Bhupen Hajong, and Sukaram K. Sangma, former GHADC secretary Hewingson A Sangma, and contractor Dolrich D. Sangma.
The individuals were charge-sheeted based on the report of an investigation submitted by Investigation Officer/Member of Inquiry Wing of the Lokayukta Anil Sangma.
Earlier, Kingstone B. Sangma, who is the Meghalaya State Working President of Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Youth Power of India, had lodged a complaint against NPP’s Mahendraganj MLA Sanjay A. Sangma (then a contractor) and others for non-completion of the construction of member’s hostel at Tura.
The amount was allotted from the Special Assistance of Central Plan Scheme for the period 2015-2016, whereby the Ministry of Finance released Rs 100.71 crore as grant-in-aid to GHADC to develop Schedule Tribe areas.
According to Sangma, after conducting a preliminary enquiry, the Lokayukta found prima facie that there were irregularities in the implementation of projects and subsequently, issued a direction for a detailed probe.
“In compliance with the direction from the Lokayukta, Anil Sangma, Member of Inquiry Wing of the Lokayukta, conducted the detailed investigation and submitted the detailed report to the Lokayukta,” Sangma said.
“…the Member of the Inquiry Wing of the Lokayukta also submitted the charge-sheet and the detailed investigation report to the Special Court, Tura and the Special Court, Tura passed an order taking cognizance of the same and also registered the case and fixed the date for appearance on 29.08.2023,” Sangma further said in a press release.
It may be added here that the Lokayukta had filed a chargesheet on May 18 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 chargesheet was filed based on a complaint filed by social activist, Nilbath Ch Marak against the accused for withdrawing funds from the Council without any work being done on the ground.
