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Edmund S. Lyngdoh v. State of Meghalaya

Criminal Appeal · Neutral citation not assigned (Criminal Appeal No. 2056 of 2014)Decided 16 Sept 2014
Criminal Appeal No. 2056 of 2014
Justice T.S. Thakur · Justice R. Banumathi

Background

North Eastern Hill University bought waterproofing cement at ₹42.75 per kg when the prevailing market price was much lower. Its chief engineer and suppliers were prosecuted for arranging inflated purchases. The High Court upheld the engineer's conviction and overturned supplier Edmund Lyngdoh's acquittal; both challenged those decisions.

Decision Breakdown

The Court upheld the findings of cheating and conspiracy, accepting the documentary and witness evidence showing deliberate inflation of prices and loss to the university. It dismissed the deceased engineer's appeal, pursued by his legal representative, and upheld the enhanced punishment. Lyngdoh's conviction also stood, but his age, illness and the proceedings' three-decade duration justified reducing imprisonment to time already served. He had to pay an additional ₹2.5 lakh fine, with one year's imprisonment if he defaulted.

Lesson Learnt

A supplier who knowingly joins officials in inflating procurement prices can face criminal liability alongside the officials. Delay and personal circumstances may affect punishment without undoing a proved conviction.

Official source (sci.gov.in)View Judgment (PDF)

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