GHADC scam: Lokayukta charge sheets 13 accused

TURA, Aug 18: In a major development, 13 persons including a former CEM, former MDCs and GHADC staff who were earlier alleged to be involved in scam worth Rs 1 crore have been charge sheeted by the Meghalaya Lokayukta.
The chargesheet against all the accused comes following a complaint filed by one Nilberth Marak in 2019 with the Lokayukta for non-implementation of projects.
The said projects were all allotted to the Asanang GHADC constituency, represented by MDC Ismail Marak at the time.
An RTI reply revealed that a total of 49 projects to the tune of Rs 1 crore were allotted to the constituency for 2017-18 in the name of two contractors. However, out of the total allotted projects, only one graveyard shed at Balupara and a water tank at Daljagre were found completed.
All those charge sheeted under Section 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption act, 1988 in connection with the scam included former GHADC CEM Boston Marak, former executive members Mark Goera Marak, Jimbirth Marak, Levastone Sangma, Righteous Sangma, Rupert Sangma, Kenedick Marak and Dhormonath Sangma, former deputy executive member Winnison Marak, ex-MDC Ismail Marak, GHADC Secretary Hewingson Sangma and the two contractors — Kubon Sangma and Nikseng Sangma.
Friday’s hearing was the first in the case and all 13 accused were released on a surety of two persons and Rs 50,000 bail bond.