Former Health Minister convicted in a disproportionate case

Gangtok, Nov 17 (UNI) Sentence pronouncement, for former health minister O T Bhutia, convicted on Thursday in a disproportionate assets case, has been deferred by nine days to November 26.

The sentence was scheduled to be announced today by a lower court.

Mr Bhutia was the Health Minister during the Bhandari government in 1980s. He had been convicted in a disproportionate case filed by state Viligance Directorate in 1995 and chargesheeted in 2003.

Mr Bhutia had been found guilty by District (North and East) Sessions Judge S W Lepcha of illegally acquiring Rs 40 lakhs. The assets were alleged to be properties including buildings, vehicles and land.

UNI