Former Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga has filed a criminal case against a Congress leader for alleging he had a hand in the death of a pastor 10 years ago.
Thansanga, an Aizawl-based Congress leader, had in the party’s Mizo language bulletin published a report on the “mysterious death” of Reverend Chanchinmawia in October 2007. The reverend was the moderator of Mizoram Presbyterian Synod and pastor of Aizawl’s Khatla Presbyterian Church.
“The bulletin came out a few days ago and went viral after the piece of news alleging my involvement in the church leader’s death was uploaded on social media. I filed a case on Thursday because it is a baseless allegation made to tarnish my reputation,” Mr. Zoramthanga told The Hindu on Friday.
In his complaint filed with chief judicial magistrate H. Lalduhsanga, the former Chief Minister said he had been accused of being the mastermind in the pastor’s murder.
“I have also filed a criminal case against the editor and publisher of the bulletin,” Mr. Zoramthanga said.
Rev. Chanchinmawia was on October 1, 20017 found dead in his official residence with multiple injuries on his head and chest. The Mizo National Front, of which Mr. Zoramthanga is the president, was in power then.
The Mizoram police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) could not find any evidence to support the homicide angle and had concluded the pastor had committed suicide.
The case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2008. The CBI too found no evidence of foul play but trashed the SIT’s suicide theory.
Rev Chanchinmawia, members of the Presbyterian Church said, was a very vocal campaigner for socio-political reforms in Mizoram.
