Aizawl 26.09.2023: Kali Kumar Tongchangya, the former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) and Chakma District Congress Committee president, has been convicted and handed a four-year prison sentence by Aizawl District Court Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Dr. HTC Lalrinchhana. The conviction stems from Tongchangya's alleged embezzlement of Rs 179 lakh out of the Rs 1,129 lakh allocated to CADC for the construction of the Longpuighat-Kukurduleya road. This funding had been disbursed under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources between 2009 and 2013.
The court's verdict, including fines totalling Rs 4 lakhs, underscores the seriousness of the embezzlement charges brought against the former CEM. Notably, the court combined the sentences, citing that the embezzled funds were not utilized for personal purposes but diverted towards election campaigns and party infrastructure.
According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Kali Kumar Tongchangya stands accused of misappropriating a staggering Rs 179.3773 lakhs intended for CADC's development projects. The diverted funds were allegedly diverted for election campaigns and bolstering party infrastructure.
To rectify the financial irregularities, a sum of Rs 126 lakh has already been recovered from the accused. The court has ordered that this recuperated amount be deposited into the government treasury, aiming to restore public funds to their intended purposes.