Aizawl, Mar 30: Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga, along with former H Rammawi and two others, were today acquitted by the court of Special Judge under Prevention of Corruption Act in Aizawl in a corruption case.
The Special Judge acquitted the four accused on grounds that the prosecution has “miserably failed to prove its case under section 120B IPC & 13 (1) (c) (d) read with 13 (2) of PC Act, 1988.”
In December 2009, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau filed Zoramthanga, former Agriculture minister H Rammawi, former CM adviser Lalhuapzauva, and two firm owners Vanlalruata Chenkuala (proprietor of Hnahlan/Champhai Grape Growers Association) and K K Shah (managing director of Mizoram Venus Bamboo Products (P) Ltd in alleged mismanagement of by the Agriculture Department by granting free interest loan for a period of three months not extendable beyond six months under Mizoram Intodelhna Programme, 2006, a flagship programme of then Mizo National Government during 1998-2008.
A total of Rs 218.5 lakh free interest loans were allegedly disbursed to four firms - Mizoram Venus Bamboo Product (P) Ltd, Hnahlan Grape Growers’ Society, Champhai Grape Growers’ Society, Mizo Organic Producers’ Company Limited.
The court pointed out that Addl public prosecutor C Lalrinchhunga argued that there is sufficient evidence the accused for granting loan from MIP fund which is in violation of the MIP Guidelines, 2006 and the fund of which is not repaid by the firm. According to him, the accused abused their official position as public servants, diverted and misused the public fund.
On the other hand, the defense counsel W Sam Joseph maintained that the MIP Guidelines 2006 does not show the funds from the MIP should only be given to the beneficiaries as grant. According to him, none of the prosecution witnesses examined by the prosecution alleged that the funds were misused for their personal gain. It was also stated during examination of the accused persons under section 313 Cr. PC that funds were not misused for their personal gain rather it was given to deserving and genuine societies and companies for the welfare of the tribal community. It was also pointed out by the defense witness that the funds of the MIP was utilised for the purpose for which it was provided by the Central Government.
The court is of the opinion that the prosecution has failed to establish that the accused persons dishonestly, fraudulently, illegally or by corrupt means violated the Revised guidelines of MIP, 2006 in order to have wrongful gain to themselves or to any other persons.
