Kohima: A report published in October 2022, which alleged the misappropriation of funds in the construction of the Nagaland High Court building in Kohima, has resurfaced, sparking renewed controversy.
The report claimed that Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Guolhoulie Rio was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the non-existent high court building, the foundation of which was laid in 2007. It also said that since then, over Rs 70 crore has been withdrawn for its construction, with little progress to show.
According to the 2022 reports, the basic structure of the site remains barely in place. Despite this, the Nagaland government allegedly withdrew Rs 44.24 crore by 2018 for electrification and water supply at the project site, alongside another Rs 22.42 crore for the construction of judges’ bungalows—an area that was not even earmarked. These funds were reportedly siphoned off between March 2009 and March 2017 through 18 withdrawals by Nagaland’s Justice and Law Department.
The controversy was reignited recently when the Rising People’s Party tweeted a news clip with the caption, “Along with reports that the #enforcementdirectorate has attached the properties of two of @Neiphiu_Rio’s close henchmen, the honeymoon between @NDPPofficial and @BJP4India seems to be over.”
In response, the NDPP quickly refuted the claims, calling the report “fake news.” The party highlighted that the allegations were initially made in October 2022 and had already been addressed by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) and the party. The NDPP’s official statement urged responsible parties and organizations to fact-check, conduct proper research, and gather accurate information before making public statements, accusing those who did not of engaging in sensationalism aimed at character assassination. The party also warned that appropriate legal action would be taken as per the law.
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Chief Minister Rio had previously accused The Indian Express of publishing a fake news report regarding the alleged questioning by the ED. In a press release, the CMO categorically denied that Rio had ever been summoned by the Directorate for any matter, further asserting that the claims were baseless and intended to malign his reputation.
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