Assembly speaker unaware of MLA's chargesheeting in corruption case

Sanjay A Sangma, an NPP legislator from Mahendraganj constituency, is one among the 12 persons, who have been chargesheeted in the case.

SHILLONG:

Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Thursday said it had not officially come to his notice the chargesheeting of a sitting MLA by the Meghalaya Lokayukta in a corruption case.

Sanjay A Sangma, an NPP legislator from Mahendraganj constituency, is one among the 12 persons, who have been chargesheeted in the case.

“It has not come to my notice. I was not at all aware of it,” Thomas said over phone.

“Information has to come to me then only I will examine it,” he said.

Asked whether the MLA was liable for disqualification, the Speaker said, “I have to check the rules. I will let you know.”

The other persons chargesheeted by the Lokayukta include nine former members of the executive committee and a secretary of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) besides two contractors for non-completion of the members’ hostel at Tura, costing Rs 6,01,31,100.00.

In his order passed on July 28, Chairperson of the Meghalaya Lokayukta B Dhar said, “Case record put up today along with the Investigation report submitted by Anil Sangma, MPS (retd), member of the Inquiry Wing, Meghalaya Lokayukta. The following public servants/respondents are charge-sheeted under Section 12 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended).

Those charge sheeted include former GHADC chief Denang T Sangma and 8 former MDCs – Augustine R Marak, Brilliant R Sangma, Dipur R Marak, Kurosh M Marak, Winningson ChM arak, Dolly K Sangma, Bhupen Hajong, Sukaram K Sangma.

The others include GHADC secretary Hewingson A Sangma and two contractors – Sanjay A Sangma and Dolrich D Sangma.