A Division Bench of Gauhati High Court comprising Chief Justice (Acting) K Sreedhar Rao and Justice PK Saikia has directed the CBI to investigate the misappropriation of a huge amount of money in the construction of Phek-Chozuba road in Nagaland wherein former Health and Family Welfare Minister Kuzholuzo Nienu was involved.
The Court order came in the wake of a PIL filed by one Thuputhiyi Venuh, of Nagaland seeking a CBI probe into the non-completion of an NLCPR project “Construction of Road from Phek to Chozuba” and the allegation of misappropriation of money. It was alleged that the work was allotted to M/S KK Chire & Company and the proprietor of the company was the brother of the then Minister of Health & Family Welfare department.
A large chunk of money has already been released for execution of the work, but the same has been misappropriated by the contractor in connivance with the then Minister and other public functionaries.
The Court after going through the relevant records and the enquiry report, affidavits and the enquiry report submitted by the State Vigilance Commission, Nagaland inter alia held that the officials of the PWD, Nagaland along with then Health & Family Welfare Minister and the contractor entered into a criminal conspiracy to commit various offences.
Accordingly, the PIL was allowed and the Court directed the CBI to treat the PIL along with all connected documents as FIR and register a case. It also directed the CBI to complete the investigation as early as possible, preferably within nine months and submit a report before the appropriate Court. (Assam Tribune)