SHILLONG, Feb 22: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed District Judge, Ri-Bhoi, to re-investigate the matter pertaining to the alleged excess consideration paid to erstwhile landowners in Umroi for the extension of the airport there.
The matter was previously probed by the then District Judge, Ri-Bhoi, in 2017, to ascertain “whether public money has been squandered by offering high rate of compensation which was against the rate offered by the owner and the rate at which she purchased just before acquisition” and “who is entitled to compensation?”
But the High Court, in course of the present proceedings, was constrained to observe that the report dated November 24, 2017, was “singularly lacking in the answers to the two issues raised.”
“The relevant order of November 15, 2022 went on to record that the concerned District Judge merely confirmed that there was excess payment without applying his mind to ascertain the quantum of excess compensation paid or even to make an attempt to determine or identify the rightful persons who were entitled to the compensation. Certain other aspects of the matter engaged the attention of the Court, particularly since the initial compensation had passed through the hands of two officials. Further, one Patricia Nongsiej was required to keep a certain quantum of money in her bank account by the Supreme Court order of August 2, 2017, but it transpired that some of the money may have been withdrawn from such account. As far as the two officials were concerned, directions were issued for them to file their affidavits of assets since such officials would be required to be penalised for having paid excess compensation, if any, to the private landowner for the purpose of the acquisition of the land,” the court said.
The three principal contestants in the case — Patricia Nongsiej, Stied Dkhar and Mac Lyngdoh Shira — were represented through learned Counsel in Court, and have assured that they would cooperate in the inquiry and present the best evidence available.
The District Judge, Ri-Bhoi will proceed to adjudicate the matter in court.
“It will be open to the District Judge not to grant any adjournment to the parties and conclude the inquiry such that the report is made available within three months from date,” the court said.
The matter has been listed for June 6.
