Shillong, March 26: The High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday has stayed an order of the Lokayukta wherein it had directed Williamnagar Police under the supervision of an ASP to inquire into the allegations of a social activist that projects in Garo Hills were not completed but the money had been withdrawn.

Social activist, N Marak had filed the case against GHADC Chairman, Denang T Sangma, and 17 others.

The case was heard by Justice More. Giving details of the case, counsel Sujit Dey said, “The writ petition number 120 of 2021 and writ petition number 121 of 2021 basically in this two writ petition honorable Lokayukta’s order was challenged whereby two different orders were passed. One in connection with Williamnagar constituency and the other is in connection with the Garo Hills Autonomous District council. In the Willaimnagar constituency matter that is writ petition number 120 of 2021 we have challenged the Lokayukta order saying that the Lokayukta has passed an order beyond its jurisdiction.”

“The order that was passed by him is beyond his jurisdiction and not as per the Lokayukta Act so we have challenged Thursday and the matter was heard by honorable Justice More and he stayed the order of Lokayukta,” Dey added.

The order of the Lokayukta was that the complaint filed by Marak should be treated as FIR and investigation should be carried out by Williamnagar Police.

In another case, the High Court of Meghalaya on Thursday stayed the order of the Lokayukta directing the Commissioner and Secretary, District Council Affairs department to conduct an inquiry into allegations of misappropriation of Rs 43 crore in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

The Lokayukta had passed the order after hearing a complaint filed by the Non-Gazetted Employees Association.

The Lokayukta order was challenged by NPP MDC Dipul Marak before the High Court and the case was represented by his counsel, Sujit Dey.