Mizoram Governor Grants Sanction for Prosecution of Former Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo

: Henry L Khojol : The Governor of Mizoram has granted sanction to prosecute former Assembly Speaker and MLA Lalrinliana Sailo in connection with alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of nearly Rs 98 lakh linked to a road construction project in eastern Mizoram , officials said. Sailo had earlier served as a minister in the Congress-led government headed by Lal Thanhawla. Ahead of the 2018 Assembly elections, he left the Congress and joined the Mizo National Front (MNF). After winning from the Chalfilh constituency, he was appointed Speaker of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly. Before the 2023 Assembly elections, Sailo joined the Bharatiya Janata Party but was defeated by MNF candidate H. Lalzirliana. According to the prosecution sanction order issued recently by the Vigilance Department on behalf of the Governor, the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which is probing the case, alleged that Sailo abused his official position while serving as MLA of Tuichang constituency. Investigators claimed that he allegedly influenced the main contractor, Colleen Lalsangpuii, who had secured the contract for the Khawzawl-Ngaizawl road construction project, to sublet the work to a particular individual from his constituency. The ACB alleged that Sailo borrowed Rs 65 lakh for execution of the contract work and, in June 2017, transferred Rs 23.16 lakh to Zote Earth Movers, which was linked to the principal contractor, towards expenses connected to the tendering and bidding process. The investigating agency further alleged that while serving as Speaker in 2020, Sailo received illegal gratification amounting to Rs 66.81 lakh in two instalments ,Rs 50 lakh on October 8, 2020 and Rs 16.81 lakh on October 14, 2020 from the running account bills of the project. According to investigators, the money was allegedly routed through his personal assistant, H. Vanlalruati. The ACB also alleged that Sailo pressured sub-contractor Romuanpuii Zadeng to repay the borrowed Rs 65 lakh along with interest. In addition, Zadeng allegedly paid another Rs 54.20 lakh to the former Speaker. Authorities have estimated the total amount allegedly misappropriated at Rs 97.85 lakh. The Anti-Corruption Bureau registered the case on August 5, 2024, under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code. Officials said that after reviewing the materials placed before him, the Governor granted sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 218 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, paving the way for trial before a competent court. The allegations had earlier triggered political controversy during the previous MNF government led by Zoramthanga. During the 2022 Budget Session of the Assembly, members of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and Congress staged a walkout, objecting to Sailo presiding over the House amid the allegations.