FIR against Mizoram CM's brother

Aizawl, Sep 15: Opposition Mizo National Front today lodged a police complaint against Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla's brother, who is a former minister, alleging that he indulged in corruption and misused his office.

MNF Legal Board Chairman J Lalremruata Hmar lodged the complaint with Superintendent of Police, Anti Corruption Bureau, John Zothansanga. Lal Thanzara, against whom the FIR was lodged, said he is ready to face investigation.

According to the FIR, former Minister of State for Health, Lal Thanzara, had 21.6 per cent shares in Sunshine Overseas construction company which bagged big contracts under the state PWD, which was under the chief minister, during 2008-2013 when he was a parliamentary secretary.

Lal Thanzara resigned from the council of ministers and lso as member of the Assembly on August 18 over allegations of holding 'office of profit.' Hmar also alleged that Lal Thanzara, owner of the H.P. Food Industry, supplied cores of rupees worth high protein biscuits to the state Social Welfare Department during his tenure as Parliamentary Secretary and Minister of State.

Talking to reporters, the MNF Legal Board Chairman demanded that the chief minister, who holds vigilance portfolio, give green signal to the anti-corruption bureau for launching a probe into the allegation as he had earlier said his brother resigned 'so that he could face fair investigation and inquiry'.

Meanwhile, Lal Thanzara said he was ready to face investigation into all the allegations levelled against him.

Addressing a function here, he expressed hope that with the investigation by the anti-corruption bureau, speculations by opposition party leaders would end.

Lal Thanzara said he resigned as a minister and a legislator as he thought allegations against him would embarrass the ruling Congress and the government.

PTI