SHILLONG: The intensifying investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged corruption involving funds of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) is escalating, and the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, has made it unequivocally clear that the state government will not intervene in the ED’s operations!
He stated, “The State Government has nothing to respond to. The Enforcement Directorate is an agency that works in an independent manner and it would be wrong if the State Government were to respond or interfere in any way. It is the job of the ED to conduct the investigation, and we are not interfering in that; it would be wrong for me to interfere and try to seek information on what is happening.”
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Shillong Sub-Zonal Office, conducted intensive search operations in West Garo Hills on December 4 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The searches relate to the alleged diversion and misuse of GHADC funds amounting to ₹28.66 crore, originally allocated for the Asanang constituency.
Five premises linked to the accused, including Boston Ch. Marak, Ismail Marak, Kubon Sangma, and Nikseng Sangma, were searched.
Sources informed that this is a case of corruption allegedly orchestrated through collusion between GHADC members, contractors, and brokers.
Large amounts of money were released as advance payments to contractors (Kubon Sangma and Nikseng Sangma)—up to 60% of the sanctioned amount, in violation of norms.
The funds were criminally misused by transferring them to the bank accounts of the accused members or their family members, with no actual development work being executed!
Both contractors confessed to withdrawing the money and returning it to the accused members and their family members, which confirms the large-scale misappropriation of GHADC funds.
The ED seized incriminating documents, records of investments in immovable properties, and digital devices during the searches.
Furthermore, numerous bank accounts belonging to the accused persons and their family members have been provisionally attached under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA.
The ED has stated that the investigation is progressing, suggesting that more details are likely to emerge.
