Meghalaya: Congress lashes out at govt for challenging Lokayukta order

Shillong, Feb 25:

The Opposition Congress on Tuesday demanded the NPP led MDA Government to withdraw its petition filed before the High Court of Meghalaya to challenge the order of the Lokayukta for a CBI probe into the coal racket in the State.

Slamming the State Government for filing the petition, Opposition Leader, Dr Mukul Sangma told reporters today that the Government should withdraw its petition against the order of the Lokayukta.

According to him, the anti graft body was constituted to fight corruption. "The Lokayukta was doing its job by acting on complaints against the coal racket.  But sadly the state government is instrumental in delaying it which can be interpreted as time to destroy evidences and go scot free," he said.

Sangma reiterated that the opposition will pressure the government to withdraw the petition filed before the High Court.

Accusing the ruling for having a malafide and criminal intent to stop investigation,  Dr Mukul said that the State Government is trying to stop the anti graft from conducting the inquiry.

He further said that the state government does not seem to be interested in constituting a full Lokayukta to see that Lokayukta cannot deliver it's full potential.

Reteriating that the opposition will ensure the petition is withdrawn and also urging people to join hands, Dr Sangma said that the opposition will see that the state government completes the appointment of Lokayukta in it's full strength.

Earlier on Monday, the division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya had deferred the hearing on the petition filed by the state government against the order of the Lokayukta for a CBI probe into the coal racket. During the hearing on Monday, the court acknowledged the additional affidavit filed by the government opposing the order of the anti-graft panel.