Aizawl: Mizoram Governor Gen VK Singh has approved prosecution sanction against former Assembly Speaker and MLA Lalrinliana Sailo in connection with an alleged corruption case involving misappropriation and criminal breach of trust amounting to nearly Rs 98 lakh related to a road construction project in eastern Mizoram, officials said.
Sailo had previously served as a minister in the Congress government headed by former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.
Ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections, he resigned from the Congress and joined the Mizo National Front (MNF). After winning the Chalfilh Assembly seat, he was later appointed Speaker of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly.
Prior to the 2023 Assembly elections, Sailo joined the Bharatiya Janata Party but lost the election to MNF candidate H. Lalzirliana.
According to a prosecution sanction order recently issued by the Vigilance Department on behalf of the Governor, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which is investigating the case, alleged that Sailo misused his official position while serving as MLA of Tuichang constituency.
Investigators alleged that Sailo influenced the principal contractor, Colleen Lalsangpuii, who had secured the Khawzawl-Ngaizawl road construction project, to subcontract the work to a particular individual from his constituency.
The ACB further claimed that Sailo borrowed Rs 65 lakh for execution of the project and later transferred Rs 23.16 lakh in June 2017 to Zote Earth Movers, reportedly linked to the main contractor, towards expenses related to the tender and bidding process.
According to the investigating agency, Sailo allegedly received illegal gratification amounting to Rs 66.81 lakh in two instalments while serving as Assembly Speaker in 2020 - Rs 50 lakh on October 8 and Rs 16.81 lakh on October 14 - from the running account bills of the project.
Investigators also alleged that the money was routed through his personal assistant, H. Vanlalruati.
The ACB further stated that Sailo allegedly pressured sub-contractor Romuanpuii Zadeng to repay the borrowed Rs 65 lakh along with interest. Zadeng was also alleged to have paid an additional Rs 54.20 lakh to the former Speaker.
Authorities have estimated the total amount allegedly misappropriated in the case at Rs 97.85 lakh.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau registered the case on August 5, 2024 under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code.
Officials said that after examining the materials placed before him, the Governor granted sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, clearing the way for trial before a competent court.
The allegations had earlier sparked political controversy during the previous MNF government led by former Chief Minister Zoramthanga.
During the 2022 Budget Session of the Assembly, members of the Zoram People's Movement and Congress staged a walkout, objecting to Sailo presiding over the House amid the allegations.