DIMAPUR, APRIL 11 (MExN): The Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland today submitted a representation to the Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, seeking suo-moto legal action against the former Chief Minister, TR Zeliang and Roads and Bridges Minister, Vikheho Swu.
In its representation, the ACAUT stated that Zeliang, after resigning as the Nagaland CM, had on March 8, 2017 signed a list of beneficiaries for Chief Minister’s Road Development Fund (CMRDF) during 2016-17 in the capacity of Chief Minister and the said directive was endorsed to the Minister, Road and Bridges.
“Upon receipt of the list of beneficiaries, Vikheho Swu, Minister for Road and Bridges, knowing that TR Zeliang had relinquished from his post, however, connived with TR Zeliang’s action, and on March 9, 2017 endorsed the paper to CE (PWD) Road and Bridges and remarked ‘to process for Tender,’” it said.
The CE (PWD) Road and Bridges thereafter on March 11 endorsed for necessary action to EE-III, the ACAUT informed, while furnishing the said list. “The action of the Minister Road and Bridges also abetted in the commission of illegality, which was initiated by TR Zeliang and as such is also liable for offence of abetment in the commission of the crime,” the ACAUT claimed.
It further accused Zeliang, who is Advisor to the CM and in charge of the Finance portfolio, of misrepresenting himself as a Chief Minister after he had demitted that office.
This is actionable in law per se, the ACAUT said, and claimed that the former CM “cannot be immune to legal action since he has committed grave offence in the eye of law.” “The action committed by TR Zeliang who has been a long-time legislator and a cabinet minister cannot be scot-free as he is a knowledgeable and experienced person having occupied the highest post in the state. That, Vikheho Swu therefore is also liable for the abetment to the offence and liable to be punished as ignorance of law is not an excuse,” the ACAUT stated.
The ACAUT said that it is within the jurisdiction of the NLA Speaker “to give direction to initiate action” against the two legislators. It urged the Speaker to “take cognizance of the offence and direct the law enforcing agency to register a regular case against the delinquent legislators by according sanction order to face trial of the offence when asked for.”
