The Special Court (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Aizawl on Friday convicted retired Mission Director of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and former executive engineer (EE) of the Mizoram health and family welfare on graft case.
The two convicted persons were sent to the Central Jail at Tanhril near Aizawl and the Special Judge will announce the sentence of both the convicts on Monday.
Former NRHM Mission Director Dr N. Palai was convicted by the Special Judge HTC Lalrinchhana under sections 471/477A of the Indian Penal Code and under sections 13 (2) read with 13 (1) (c) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 read with 120B of the IPC. However, due to lack of evidence, he has been acquitted under sections 420/468 of the IPC.
Former executive engineer of the state health department Lalsangliana Chhakchhuak was also convicted under section 13 (2) read with 13 (1) (c) (d) of PC Act, 1988 read with 120B IPC and u/s 471/477A read with 120B IPC. However, due to lack of evidence, he is acquitted u/s 420/468 of IPC.
“Resultantly, bail and bond (if any) in respect of the A1 and A-2 also stand cancelled forthwith, liabilities of their respective sureties are also discharged. Thus, both the said convicted accused persons shall be remanded into judicial custody till May 15, 2023 for sentence hearing and Issue custody warrants for the above,” the special judge ruled.
Palai and Chhakchhuak were accused of misappropriating/diverting Rs. 5.74 crore meant for upgradation of the Civil Hospital in Aizawl and the case was handed over to the CBI in January 2014.
Investigation of the case revealed that the State Health Society of Mizoram had received Rs. 10.00 crore from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for specific purpose of upgradation of Civil Hospital Aizawl from National Rural Health Mission-III Division, New Delhi.
Investigation further revealed that out of the total Rs. 10.00 crore, only Rs. 4.26 crore has been utilized for the purpose it was meant for and the remaining amount of Rs. 5.74 Crores was utilized outside the ambit of the purpose it was sanctioned.
Dr N. Pallai, Mission Director, NRHM Aizawl was alleged to have done the same with blatant disregard to codal formalities and did not obtain administrative approval from the competent authority for diverting the funds for other purpose by abuse of his official position and he also issued faked work orders and accepting bills with forged signatures, according to the charge sheet submitted to the court.
The Government of India did not accept the ‘Utilization Certificate’ submitted by the State Health Society of Aizawl for the expenditure of Rs. 5.74 crore which was diverted for purpose other than Civil Hospital Aizawl upgradation.
Lalsangliana Chhakchhuak, E.E posted at the Directorate of Health Services during the same period, whose official works runs as oil and wheel entered into criminal conspiracy with each other and in pursuance of that conspiracy caused wrongful loss to the Government to the tune of Rs. 29,48,819/- and corresponding gain to themselves, the charge sheet said.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
