Shillong: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday carried out its first set of searches in Meghalaya in a money laundering case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targeting alleged diversion of development funds in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Officials said raids were conducted at five locations in Tura, West Garo Hills, marking the first action initiated by the ED’s Shillong sub-zonal office in a PMLA case originating in the state.
The agency has previously undertaken searches in Meghalaya linked to cases registered elsewhere.
The probe centres on suspected misappropriation of Rs. 28.66 crore sanctioned for development works in the Asanang constituency under GHADC.
Investigators allege that members of the committee, in collusion with contractors, diverted the funds by bypassing established procedures.
According to officials, 60 per cent of the sanctioned amount was irregularly advanced to contractors Kubon Sangma and Nikseng Sangma.
The funds were released through multiple cheques allegedly issued on the instructions of one Ismail Marak.
Kubon Sangma is accused of withdrawing the entire amount and handing it to Marak, while Nikseng Sangma allegedly transferred his share directly into a bank account as directed, officials added.
