Nagaland Lokayukta finds no ‘criminal intention’ in Pillai re-employment case

105 cases currently under various stages of enquiry 

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 28

The investigation into re-employment of former Nagaland cop, MKR Pillai as Consultant to the Director General of Police (DGP) Nagaland found no “Criminal Intention,” as per an official report. 

The case, among others, were 12 regular cases (RC) disposed off by the Special Judge of Nagaland Lokayukta from January 3 to December 12, 2022, informed the State Anti-corruption Ombudsman’s ‘Annual Report 2022’ tabled in the State Assembly on March 27. 

As per the report, the RC “against M. K. R Pillai, Consultant to DGP Nagaland and others for re-employment as Consultant after retirement” was registered in 2017 while the final closing date was given as February 2, 2022. While it could not establish “Criminal Intention” in the re-employment and subsequent service extension of Pillai, it noted the detection of “irregularities and procedural lapses.” This was however attributed to supposed “ignorance/unawareness of the standing orders/Office Memorandum.”

It must be noted here that the consultancy contract of Pillai, who retired in the rank of Additional SP, was terminated in June 2017, following interstate raids conducted by the Income Tax Department at Pillai’s establishments amidst investigations into huge unaccounted assets that were uncovered during the raids.

The then State Vigilance Commission, which was later amalgamated into Nagaland Lokayukta after its establishment in 2019, took suo moto cognizance to the case, focusing on his re-employment as a consultant. 

Meanwhile, almost all the 12 cases were disposed off with the Anti-corruption Ombudsman finding either no criminality or lack of sufficient evidence. 

These included cases involving ‘misappropriation of Rs 3 crore for construction of ropeway between Puliebadze and Kohima village’ (2014) for lack of “sufficient evidence or reasonable ground of suspicion” during investigation and “doubtful expenditure on free distribution of LPG connection under Forest Department” in 2014 for lack of “concrete evidence” against the official or individual involved.  

Regarding the case involving payment of fictitious transportation challans (receipts) and non-existent challans by Project Director DRDA, Kiphire amounting to Rs 2.03 crore” for supply of CGI sheet under Rural Department (CAG Report 2017), the Public Prosecutor Nagaland Lokayukta could not establish “no criminality” to book the official/ individual involved, the report informed.

However, in its closure report on February 21, 2022, three BDOs were served with “administrative warnings for commission of certain irregularities,” it said. 

Complaints against DTO Wokha (2014) and DTO Zunheboto (2014) for issuing of fake driving license were disposed off with the complainant in the former “not cooperating with the investigation agency” while in the latter, both the complainant and alleged offenders “were not inhabitants of the State and both failed to file their presence in person” and lack of material evidence. 

Another case pertaining to a CAG 2017 report on non-receipts/delay of GMS pipe worth Rs 58.65 lakh and Rs 1.80 crore was closed as “charges against the accused have not been made out.” 

Complaint against “fake travel concession racket” amounting to more than Rs 5 crore during 2012 to 2015 by tourism staff and its authorised travel agent registered in 2016, was also closed on October 10, 2022 with similar observation. 

The Special court, Nagaland Lokayukta, on November 25, 2022, acquitted all accused in a case involving “appointment against fake vacancy under School Education Department” registered in 2014.

Further, the complaint against “supply of incomplete and defective equipment to District Hospital Mon” amounting to over Rs 1.49 crore (2017) was closed on January 21, 2022 with the “execution” of an undertaking between the supplier and the concerned department during investigation and subsequent fulfilment of the agreement, the report added. 

No cases registered in 2022
Meanwhile, the report informed that no new cases were registered by the Nagaland Lokayukta in 2022, while there were nine cases “under trial/enquiry” during the same period.  

However, cumulative cases under investigation as of December 12, 2022 stood at 105 comprising of 81 under Preliminary Enquiry and 24 Regular Cases (Criminal).

An amount of Rs 78.51 lakh was also recovered from cases closed between January 3-December 12, 2022, the report highlighted. 

Four government officers were also served with “administrative warning” during the same period while recommendation given to 7 departments were accepted, it added. 

A total of 36 incomplete or abandoned projects were completed during Lokayukta investigation, the report stated. It comprised of 28 projects in PWD (Road & Bridges) and another 8 in Rural Department.   

A case against “gross misuse of VDB fund under NREGA” at Longsa Village RD Block, Wokha was also disposed off at PE stage by the Special Judge with erring officers “completing 8 water harvesting tanks and imposition of “censure” by disciplinary authority against them. 

It must be noted here that Nagaland was without a Lokayukta from February 2021 and the duties were discharged by the Upa-Lokayukta till the appointment of former State Chief Secretary Banuo Z Jamir in December 2022.