The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Shillong Sub-Zonal Office, has provisionally attached an immovable property worth ₹40 lakh under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of development funds meant for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) in Meghalaya. The attached property is in the name of Ismail R. Marak, former Member of the District Council (MDC) from the 16-Asanang Constituency, marking a significant development in the agency’s probe into the alleged diversion of public funds earmarked for grassroots development works.
The money laundering investigation stems from a charge sheet filed before the Court of the Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, at West Garo Hills, Tura, arising out of Meghalaya Lokayukta Complaint Case No. 01/2019. The case involves offences punishable under Sections 7A, 12 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, with the ED subsequently initiating proceedings under the PMLA to trace and identify proceeds of crime generated through the alleged corruption.
According to the investigation, GHADC had received approximately ₹28.66 crore under the “Grant for Excluded Areas” scheme, of which ₹1 crore was allocated to the 16-Asanang Constituency for the execution of 49 development projects. The ED alleged that, in violation of the Meghalaya Financial Rules, 1981, an advance amounting to 60 per cent of the project value was released to two contractors, Kubon Sangma and Nikseng Sangma, against work orders purportedly obtained using forged signatures. The agency found that the projects were never executed and that the released funds were subsequently siphoned off.
The ED’s investigation under the PMLA traced proceeds of crime amounting to ₹52.60 lakh. Of this, ₹19.60 lakh was allegedly diverted to Ismail R. Marak in cash, while ₹33 lakh was transferred through banking channels to his wife, Pratibha Marak, through accounts linked to the contractors involved in the case. The agency stated that the attached immovable property represents the equivalent value of the proceeds of crime identified during the investigation.
The attachment follows earlier action in the case, including the freezing of bank account balances amounting to ₹16.38 lakh under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA. The freezing order was subsequently confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority. Searches connected to the investigation were conducted on December 4, 2025.
The ED said further investigation into the alleged embezzlement of development funds and the laundering of the proceeds remains in progress.
