SHILLONG: The CBI court on Wednesday took up the permanent bail plea of Additional Chief Secretary PS Thangkhiew, former legislators Sniawbhalang Dhar and Donkupar Massar and Jowai South MDC Moonlight Pariat in connection with the education scam row.
Thangkhiew was the Principal Secretary in-charge education when the scam surfaced, while Dhar, Massar and Pariat among several other VIPs had recommended the names of their favourite candidates for appointment as teachers.
More than a week ago, the four accused were granted interim bail and the court took up the case on Wednesday after they sought final bail.
A lawyer dealing with the case said on Wednesday that the bail application was heard by the special judge, but the judgment is yet to be known.
Earlier, the CBI registered a case against Thangkhiew, Directorate of Elementary and Mass Education, some unknown persons and Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh as the scam took place during her tenure as Education Minister.
Former education department official, JD Sangma was earlier quizzed by the CBI in connection with the case.
The case was registered by the CBI after the High Court of Meghalaya on November 2 last issued an order to probe the criminal aspects of the scam.
Apart from Dhar, Massar and Pariat, others who had recommended the names of their favourite candidates were Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo, former Mawkynrew MLA Remington Pyngrope, Raksamkre MLA Limison D Sangma, former minister and Pynursla MLA Prestone Tynsong, Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V Lyngdoh, former minister and Pynthorumkhrah MLA AL Hek, South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai, former MLAs RL Tariang, JA Lyngdoh and Lambor Malngiang, former Speaker Charles Pyngrope, and adviser to former Chief Minister DD Lapang, F War.
