Shillong, Dec. 22: The J.D. Rymbai government in Meghalaya is in a Catch-22 situation following a Gauhati High Court order yesterday. The court pulled it up for the delay in filing criminal cases against those involved in the Garo Hills housing scam.

Following a writ petition flied by Sailing R. Marak, the high court directed the Meghalaya government to file criminal cases against officials and politicians involved in the embezzlement of funds to the tune of Rs 50 lakh from the Rural Innovative Housing Scheme in West Garo Hills.

The fate of the government hinges on the support of former community and rural development minister in Lapang’s cabinet, Beckstar Sangma — one of the accused in the scam, who later joined the Rymbai camp.

The cases are to be handed out by January 24, 2007.

The scam came to light during a vigilance drive in April this year in the blocks which exposed the alleged nexus between Sangma and some block development officers.

So far two BDOs, allegedly involved in the scam, have been arrested while the third is absconding, with an arrest warrant pending against her.

Sangma was found to have produced fake names of beneficiaries for the Centre’s scheme and allegedly helped withdraw Rs 50 lakh in favour of Gambil Ading Women’s Organisation, an NGO, in connivance with the three block development officers.

Following the allegations, former chief minister D.D. Lapang had to drop Sangma from his cabinet.

The allegations led to realgnemnt of forces in the state politics.

Beckstar later joined the J.D. Rymbai camp.

Minister in-charge of community and rural development Irene Lyngdoh refused to comment on the high court order, saying that she had yet to go through the copy of the order.

Last week, Lok Sabha MP from Tura and former Speaker Purno A. Sangma called the Rymbai government a weak one and demanded Sangma’s arrest for misappropriation of funds.