Shillong:
In a major relief for Cabinet Minister Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh and two senior government officials — J.D. Sangma and Ameka I. Lyngdoh — the Meghalaya High Court today, quashed proceedings against the trio in the long-pending 2009 White Ink Case (Education Job Scam).
A single bench of Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji observed that nearly 17 years had passed since the controversy first broke. “The first FIR was lodged on 18th July, 2011. Nothing has moved significantly in prosecuting the accused. Under Section 482, this Court has the power to prevent ‘abuse of the process of any court or otherwise to secure the ends of justice,’” the order read.
The court further held that the inordinate delay violated the fundamental rights of the accused. “Such enormous delay in prosecuting a criminal case is also against the fundamental rights of the accused under Articles 21, 19 and 14 to lead a peaceful life free of mental anxiety caused by pendency of a criminal proceeding,” it stated.
The bench also noted that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case. “The prosecution has failed to establish even a prima facie case from where a reasonable suspicion may arise in the prosecutor or the court of interpolation of the score sheets by the accused or any of them. The case or charges against each of them falls to the ground,” the order observed.
It added: “No document showing interpolation or any application of white ink for erasing the marks are on record. The said slips which have been produced with some remarks of A1 (Ampareen Lyngdoh) could be for more than one purpose. There is no further evidence to link those slips with the charge of manipulation of results.”
Family Reactions
Breathing a sigh of relief, Ampareen’s son said:
“For 17 long years, my family endured relentless derogatory comments and public suspicions for allegations that lack both factual and legal basis and throughout this time, maintained our silence for the matter was subjudice. Throughout this period, we suffered significantly.”
A visibly emotional Ampareen Lyngdoh added:
“I pray for guidance and God gives me the strength to forgive those who have harmed us – I cannot speak more than that – we are watching the next move of anyone very closely and only say – let us bask in the truth that this nation gives citizens a chance at justice.”
Genesis of the Case
December 2008: The Meghalaya Education Department advertised posts for assistant teachers in government Lower Primary (LP) schools across Shillong Sadar, Jowai, Amlarem, Tura, and Dadenggre.
2009–2010: Unsuccessful candidates, using RTI, discovered that score sheets appeared to have been altered using “white ink.”
February 2010: Social activist Agnes Kharshiing filed RTI queries and FIRs alleging manipulation of marks under the direction of Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and Education Director J.D. Sangma.
October 2011: A writ petition prompted the High Court to hand the case over to the CBI.
CBI Investigation & Government Response
May 2012: The CBI confirmed tampering of score sheets using white fluid. Several politicians and officials were implicated.
July 2013: A High-Level Scrutiny Committee (HLSC) was constituted, which led to the termination of hundreds of candidates by early 2014.
November 2017: The High Court criticized the HLSC for political shielding, upheld the CBI findings, and ordered fresh selections.
Criminal Proceedings
January 2018: The CBI filed additional charges under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 167, 466 (forgery of public records), 408, and 34 against Ampareen Lyngdoh and then-Principal Secretary of Education P.S. Thangkhiew.
2024–2025: The High Court directed the CBI to streamline its massive list of witnesses, requiring only essential testimonies.
Final Relief
On September 4, 2025, the single bench of Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji quashed the charges and proceedings against Ampareen Lyngdoh, J.D. Sangma, and Ameka I. Lyngdoh, bringing the 17-year-long legal battle to a close.
