Gauhati HC orders CBI investigation into fund misappropriation

The Gauhati High Court today directed CBI to investigate the alleged misappropriation of Rs 1578 lakh sanctioned for construction of road from Phek to Chozuba in Nagaland and involvement of former Nagaland minister Kuzholuzo Nienu in it.
A division bench of the High Court, comprising Chief Justice (acting) K Sreedhar Rao and Justice P K Saikia, passed the order on a PIL directing CBI to treat the litigation along with all connected documents as FIR and register a case.
The Court also directed the invetsigating agency to complete the investigation as early as possible, preferably within nine months and submit a report in the final form before the appropriate magistrate or court.

The PIL was filed by one Thuputhiyi Venuh of Nagaland who sought a court direction to CBI to conduct the probe into the non-completion of non lapsable central pool of resources project comprising construction of road from Phek to Chozuba and into the allegation of misappropriation of money released for the work.
The petitioner also alleged that the work was allotted to M/s K K Chire and Company and its proprietor was the brother of the then Nagaland Minister of Health and Family Welfare department Kuzholuzo Nienu.
A major chunk of the fund has already been released for execution of the work but it was misappropriated by the contractor in connivance with the former minister and other public functionaries who were entrusted to execute and supervise the work, the petition claimed.

The Court, after going through the relevant records, directed CBI to investigate into the alleged misappropriation of funds and involvement of the former minister.