The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Dimapur Sub-Zonal Office, has filed a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against officials of the Nagaland Public Works Department (PWD) and contractors in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the construction of the New High Court Complex, Kohima.
The complaint, filed on December 29, 2025, names Avituo Sekhose, M/s Hexad Syndicate and its partners Thepfusatuo Rio, Mhalelie Rio, and Vibeilietuo Kets. The Special Court (PMLA), Dimapur, took cognizance of the case on January 12, 2026.
The investigation was launched based on a CBI FIR filed in 2019, following directions from the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, over alleged misappropriation of public funds and substandard construction work. The FIR accused PWD officials and contractors of inflating costs to misappropriate money from the public exchequer during the construction of the High Court complex.
The ED probe revealed that the costs of two retaining walls were inflated, resulting in an excess payment of approximately Rs 80.25 lakh to Avituo Sekhose. Similarly, the construction of the High Court Complex road and footpath with chequered tiles led to an excess payment of around Rs 29.68 lakh to M/s Hexad Syndicate and its partners.
The total proceeds of crime in the case have been identified as around Rs 1.09 crore. During the investigation, the ED also issued a provisional attachment order of Rs 96.67 lakh.
“The investigation has revealed the involvement of several PWD officials, resulting in substantial loss to the public exchequer,” the ED said.