By K K Singh
Patna:The Bharatiya Janata Party MLA, Sone Lal Hembrom, who was allegedly involved in cases of misappropriation and putting the finance of the state in the loss of crores of rupees in capricious manner during his service as senior official in the state excise department in 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, has now faced the tune of vigilance action. A Disproportional Assets (DA) case had been launched against him under Special Court Act by the state vigilance department.
Hembrom, after his retirement had traveled through a number of political parties including Congress and got elected from Katoria as BJP nominee. The BJP happens to be the alliance partner of the NDA government led by chief minister Nitish Kumar. Hembrom was allegedly much-malingned official during his entire service career in joint Bihar. Hembron was known for money bags supply official in 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. None of the politicians except a few would not have been benefited from the ill-gotten income of Hembrom. Only because of that Hembrom was touchable for almost all the political parties to join politics.
Vigilance sources said that in almost all the government, Hembrom was known for prize posting official in the excise department. Cases of corruption were launched against him itself during those period. But because of money power, the case could not see the light of the day. Even during the Nitish government in over last six years, Hembrom had held the fort and prevented the action against him. But the principal secretary of the vigilance department Mr Chauhan brought the matter to the logical conclusion and ultimately criminal case was filed against him under Special Court Act.
According to official sources; investigation against Hembrom for ammassing huge wealth in Bihar and Jharkhand had been completed long back. A DA case is being launched against him. During investigation afresh, the vigilance wing had found many incriminating papers and wealth from unkown sources against Hembrom.
After lodging DA case, chargesheet had been filed against him. Now the trial will be completed within six months and if found guilty in amassing disproportionate wealth, his wealth will be confiscated and schools will be opened in his number of palatial buildings here in Patna and houses in Jharkhand will be auctioned. Hembrom will be the fourth official after three officials including an IPS official, whose property had been consficated and schools have been opened in their houses. As regards IPS Narayan Mishra case, judgement to confiscate his building in Bailey road areas for opening schools had been delivered recently and confiscation process has started.
