The Calcutta High Court has directed the District Magistrate, Malda to take appropriate action in accordance with law on the embezzlement of public funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Sachin Chandra Mandal alleging corruption and embezzlement of funds at Binodpur Gram Panchayat in district Malda in the course of execution of different works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme and also under the Deference General Work Fund.
When the matter was taken up, it was pointed out that the petitioner has already filed the representation dated January 25, 2022 before the District Magistrate, Malda and the said representation is still pending.
Apurba Ghosh, State counsel, submitted that there is no objection in considering the petitioner’s representation within a time-bound period.
Hence, the Bench disposed of the petition directing the District Magistrate, Malda to duly consider the petitioner’s representation and cause an inquiry, if required and take appropriate action in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
Further, the Bench clarified that it will be open to the petitioner to submit all relevant materials along with a copy of this order before the District Magistrate, Malda and the petitioner along with the parties concerned will also be entitled to the opportunity of a hearing in course of the above proceedings.