New Delhi [India], September 27 (HBTV): The Rouse Avenue Court on Friday framed charges against former Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, former Principal Secretary P.C. Lallawmsanga, and two others in a corruption case linked with M/s Mizoram Direct Marketing Ltd.
The case was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the direction of the Delhi High Court following a petition. The initial FIR had been registered at Burari Police Station, Delhi.
Special CBI Judge Jitendra Singh framed charges against P.C. Lallawmsanga (then Principal Secretary, Industries), Lal Thanhawla (then Chief Minister, Mizoram), Ajay Joshi (Chartered Accountant), Praveen Chandan (Promoter-Director), and M/s RMP Infotec Pvt. Ltd. under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The judge said that at the stage of framing charges, the Court is not required to assess the probative value of evidence but only to examine whether the material on record, if left unrebutted, discloses a prima facie offence. ‘There exist sufficient grounds to frame a charge against Accused P.C. Lallawmsanga and Accused Lal Thanhawla, who, while acting in concert, misused their official positions to extend undue advantage to Accused M/s RMP Infotec Pvt. Ltd, in conspiracy with accused Ajay Joshi and accused Praveen Chandan,’ the order read.
The court dropped charges of cheating due to insufficient material but confirmed charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption. It observed that the procedure prescribed by law was deliberately bypassed, Cabinet approval was ignored, and undue benefit was extended to a private company.
According to the prosecution, the case originated from a 2019 complaint alleging that the complainant had been induced to invest INR 5,000 in M/s Mizoram Direct Marketing Ltd., misrepresented as a government undertaking. Later, it was revealed that the company had been floated privately by Lallawmsanga.
After investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet against the accused persons for offences under Sections 120-B, 420, 467, 468, and 471 of the IPC, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
(ANI)