Daijiworld Media Network - Shillong
Shillong, Jun 24: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has provisionally attached an immovable property worth Rs 40 lac in connection with an alleged scam involving the diversion of development funds allocated to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the ED said the action was taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The attached property belongs to Ismail R. Marak, a former Member of the District Council (MDC) who represented the Asanang constituency.
The investigation was launched following a chargesheet filed on May 18, 2023, before the Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act in Tura. The case originated from Meghalaya Lokayukta Complaint Case No. 01/2019 and involves alleged offences under Sections 7A, 12 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
According to the ED, the alleged irregularities relate to a ‘Grant for Excluded Areas’ amounting to approximately Rs 28.66 crore received by GHADC.
Investigators said Rs 1 crore from the grant was earmarked for 49 development projects in the Asanang constituency.
The agency alleged that, in violation of the Meghalaya Financial Rules, 1981, an advance payment amounting to 60 per cent of the total project cost was released to two contractors, Kubon Sangma and Nikseng Sangma, based on work orders that were allegedly obtained using forged signatures.
Despite the release of funds, the projects were reportedly never executed, and the money was allegedly diverted.
According to the ED's findings, proceeds of crime amounting to ?52.60 lakh were traced during the investigation.
Of this amount, Rs 19.60 lakh was allegedly received in cash by Ismail R. Marak, while Rs 33 lakh was transferred to the bank account of his wife, Pratibha Marak, through transactions routed via the contractors' accounts.
The agency clarified that the attached property represents the equivalent value of the identified proceeds of crime and does not exceed the amount traced during the investigation.
Earlier in the case, the ED had frozen bank deposits worth Rs 16.38 lakh under PMLA provisions. The action was subsequently upheld by the Adjudicating Authority.
The agency also carried out searches on December 4, 2025, as part of its investigation.
The ED said further investigation into the matter is continuing.