Meghalaya police file charge-sheet in 2019 Mawkhar Church fraud case

SHILLONG: 

After almost two years, Meghalaya Police has finally filed the first charge sheet against the chowkidar of Mawkhar Presbyterian Church in connection with the misappropriation of church funds in 2019. 

“The first charge sheet has been filed. The investigation will, however, continue to find out whether there is the complicity of others in the crime,” Superintendent of Police of East Khasi Hills S Nongtnger said on Friday. 

It was on August 3, 2019, that an FIR was received from Mawkhar Presbyterian Church regarding the embezzlement of church funds amounting to Rs 4.67 crore. 

The fraudulent transactions have been going on since 2013 but, it was only in 2019 that the crime was detected. 

The chowkidar of the church, Allfas Bareh, was arrested for his alleged involvement in the crime. Police suspect that Bareh is just a pawn and, the mastermind is in hiding. 

There are suspicions over the role of the treasurer of the church, who has been entrusted for the post since 2009 till date. 

A case was registered at Lumdiengjri Police Station.