I Am Being Framed: Former Mizo CM Zoramthanga

Aizawl, Oct 1 : Former chief minister Zoramthanga today maintained his innocence in the corruption charges leveled against him and said, ''I am being framed to spoil my political career.''

Addressing a party rally, held in the aftermath of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)s raids at his residence, the Mizo National Fronts supremo said, ''If I had indulged in any corruption, let them nail me, for no one is above the law. But, they are making false charges against me to politically spoil my image.''

''This is a politically motivated criminal case against me in the eve of the Aizawl Municipal Council elections,'' he reiterated.

He also maintained that any criminal investigation against a former chief minister has to be approved by current Chief Minister, pointing accusing finger to his Congress counterpart and Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

Recently, the ACB raided the residence of Zoramthanga, his two brothers and his former political adviser, in connection with corruption case charged against him, following a PIL submitted to Gauhati High Court by anti-corruption organisation Prism.

The civic organisation filed the PIL in 2007 against the then Chief Minister Zoramthanga for possessing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income, for allegedly misusing agriculture departments materials for his private firm and for allegedly collecting three per cent from all contractors under PMGSY for party fund.

Gauhati High Court on December 21, 2009, ordered a probe into the allegations to be completed within four months. Prism president Vanlalruata told UNI here today, the inquiry report revealed 30 rolls of wire mesh and 660 of angles iron post were issued by Agriculture Department in favour of Aiipuk Farm which is owned by Zoramthanga, on the request made by his wife Roneihsangi through 50 per cent subsidised payment.

The inquiry revealed that payments were made but backdated through manipulation of official documents. The report also revealed Zoramthanga admitted that three per cent was deducted from PMGSY contractors for his party fund, he said. Mr Zoramthanga possessed disproportionate asset from his known sources of income.

The Report highlighted that Mr Zoramthanga possessed Rs 54,18,061.94 and Rs 1,38,02,241.26 in 2003 and 2008 respectively in his affidavits submitted to the DC, Champhai on the eve of the 2003 and 2008 MLA General Election.

''The difference of his possession between 2003 and 2008 is Rs 83,84,179/-. But he could have had accumulated only Rs 17,84,234/- during these five years from his known sources of income,'' Vanlalruata added.