Aizawl: Mizoram Anti Corruption Bureau has launched investigation against Former Mizoram health minister and Chief minister Lal Thanhawla's younger brother, Lal Thanzara, opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) legal board chairman J Lalremruata Hmar said on Thursday.


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 The criminal investigation was initiated against Thanzara, the ruling Congress candidate for the coming by-poll to Aizawl North III assembly seat, following the FIR submitted by MNF legal board on September 15, he said.


He alleged that Lalthanzara owned 21.6 per cent of shares in Sunshine Overseas limited which was awarded crores of rupees worth road construction contracts by the state PWD - a department held by the chief minister.


Besides, Lal Thanzara-owned H P Foods also supplied over Rs 22 crore worth of high protein biscuits to the state social welfare department while he held the posts of parliamentary secretary and minister of state.


"The former health minister and de facto chief minister of Mizoram committed offences punishable under section 13 (i) (d) (ii) and (iii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988," he said.On the statement by the Chief Minister that his brother would be vindicated by the people's court, Hmar said "Criminal cases are never tried in the people's court through votes but in the courts of law."


He said MNF legal board would continue to take up the graft case even if Lal Thanzara is re-elected in the by-polls.
 "He (Lal Thanzara) might have changed the name of the owner of HP Foods to that of his son's, he still cannot escape the law as the offences were committed when he was in power," Hmar added. PTI HCV KK
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