Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
National People’s Party (NPP) candidate from East Shillong for the February 27 Assembly polls, Ampareen Lyngdoh, on January 22 said that the disclosure by her party regarding the pending criminal case had been filed in compliance with general directions issued by the Election Commission of India.
Lyngdoh’s statement comes after the NPP published the criminal antecedents of three of its candidates on January 21, including Ampareen Lyngdoh of East Shillong, Teiborlang Pathaw of Mawlai and Thomas Sangma of North Tura.
“With regard to the ongoing CBI case, the matter is currently before trial in a court of law. The allegations which the CBI raised are yet to be proven in a court of law,” the NPP candidate from East Shillong said.
She also said that she has full faith in the judicial system of the country, and that she will defend her innocence before the judicial court.
“Since the case is sub-judice, it would be improper for me to comment on the case further,” Lyngdoh added.
As per the declaration made by the NPP, Lyngdoh had allegedly committed offences under Sections under 120-B, 420, 467, 468, 471, 201 of IPC, apart from Section 13 (2) of PC Act.
On the reasons for selecting her as the party’s candidate from East Shillong, the NPP said that Lyngdoh has devoted huge amount of time and effort and is well respected in public life and has also been devoting considerable time in social welfare measures.
“…and therefore in the assessment of the party, the candidate is suitable for the election to espouse the cause of the public,” the declaration put up in the NPP’s website states.
The declaration also states that considerable assistance was given by her to the people during Covid-19.
It also states that the offences alleged to have been committed by the candidate are yet to be proved in the court of law.
Meanwhile, Pathaw who is a sitting Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Member of District Council, the nature of his criminal offence are under Sections 420/406 of IPC.
It was reported in the past that the CBI had registered a case against him and two officials from NEIGRIHMS for their alleged collusion with the NPP candidate from Mawlai for not releasing the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
Moreover, Sangma, NPP candidate from North Tura is alleged to have committed criminal offences under section 376 (n) r/w section 506 of IPC. In this case, too, charges have not been framed.