Mizoram Court convicts 2 officials in graft case

The sentences for the two officials, handed down by Special Judge H.T.C. Lalrinchhana, would be announced on Monday in an open court

A Special Court (under the Prevention of Corruption Act) in Aizawl, Mizoram on Friday convicted former Superintendent of Excise, Serchhip district Rongura, and former Assistant Accounts Officer of Serchhip Treasury in a graft case and remanded them to judicial custody till March 20, 2023 for sentence hearing.

The duo was convicted of misappropriation of money to the tune of over Rs. 1.73 crore.

The sentences for the two officials, handed down by Special Judge H.T.C. Lalrinchhana, would be announced on Monday in an open court.

Lalrinchhana said, in his order, that Rongura, by abusing his official position as Superintendent of Excise and Narcotics, Serchhip District, who was also Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO), committed criminal misconduct in his salary bill amounting to Rs. 1,73,48,365 by claiming and drawing excess amounts under a criminal conspiracy with Suakngura, who was Assistant Accounts Officer in the office of the Treasury Officer, Serchhip District.

The judge added that in November 2016, Suakngura received Rs. 41,000 from the office or under the aegis of Rongura, which was credited to Suakngura’s personal bank account as bribe money as part of the criminal conspiracy with Rongura.

“In the reverberations, Rongura is convicted under sections 120B/420/477A of IPC and under section 13 (2) read with section 13 (1)(a) (c) & (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,” the judge said, adding, “Suakngura is also hereby convicted under sections 120B/477A/420 of IPC and under section 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (a) (c) & (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.”

On their convictions, bail and bond in respect of them also stood cancelled forthwith, and the liabilities of their respective sureties were also discharged. “Thus, both the said convicted accused persons shall be remanded into judicial custody till March 20, 2023 for sentence hearing,” the special judge added.

Rongura, one of the convicted persons, was given compulsory retirement by the state government after being indicted in a departmental proceeding in the same case of misappropriation.

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