ED files chargesheet in ‘embezzlement’ case linked to Kohima bench

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it has filed a chargesheet against a contractor and some companies in a case linked to alleged misappropriation of public funds in the construction of the new complex of the Gauhati High Court bench in Kohima, Nagaland.

The Kohima bench of the high court had taken cognisance of a 2017 PIL that alleged misappropriation of public money and the sub-standard construction work of its new complex and ordered a CBI investigation.

The CBI registered a case against officials of the Nagaland Public Works Department (PWD) and Government contractors in June 2019.

The ED case stems from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) complaint.

The agency said a chargesheet was filed before the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court located in Dimapur against Avituo Sekhose (contractor), Hexad Syndicate, Thepfusatuo Rio, Mhalelie Rio and Vibeilietuo Kets on December 29, 2025.

The court took cognisance of the chargesheet on January 12, the ED said. “Nagaland PWD officials fraudulently inflated the costs of the work of construction of two retaining walls in the New High Court Complex and paid an excess amount of Rs 80.25 lakh to contractor Sekhose,” the ED said.