GANGTOK: Former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari was on Saturday convicted in a disproportionate assets case by a designated CBI court here. The court of Special CBI Judge S W Lepcha held Bhandari guilty under the prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The quantum of punishment will be pronounced by the court on Monday. The case relates to the alleged construction of a five-storey building by Bhandari in Gangtok at a cost of Rs 15.22 lakh which is unaccounted for. The case was being heard by the designated CBI court since September 1994. Bhandari was the chief minister of Sikkim from 1979 to 1994. He is presently the president of the Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee.
The case relates to the alleged construction of a five-storey building by Mr. Bhandari during his tenure in Gangtok at a cost of Rs 15.22 Lakhs which is unaccounted for. According to Special Prosecutor (CBI) ID, Vaidya, the case was registered against Bhandari in 1984 Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The charge sheet was admitted in 1994. The case was being heard by the designated CBI Court since September 1994. Mr. Bhandari was the Chief Minister of Sikkim from 1979 to 1994.
During the hearing on May 26, Mr. Bhandari failed to give satisfactory answer from his side, following which the Court found him guilty under Prevention of Corruption Act 1947, Article 5(2) read with article 51 (1) (e).
During the hearing on May 26, Mr. Bhandari failed to give satisfactory answer from his side, following which the Court found him guilty under Prevention of Corruption Act 1947, Article 5(2) read with article 51 (1) (e).
(PTI)
