MUMBAI: The Mizoram government has been accused of cheating and breach of trust by a city-based technology firm for not paying the first instalment towards a satellite imagery and geographic information system project it had undertaken.

On November 3, the MIDC police registered an FIR naming the Mizoram government as accused for not paying Rs 5.62 crore for the project’s first phase. Deputy commissioner of police (zone X) KMM Prasanna confirmed the case. He said, “It is too early to comment anything as investigations are on.” He said the FIR will be transferred to the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai crime branch for further investigation.

According to the police, Rolta India Limited, located at MIDC-Marol, had undertaken the project in 2004. The total cost of the project is Rs 14 crore. Police said that in August 2008, the company demanded that the government of Mizoram to make part payment against the completed portion of the work. The government replied that it had made the payment to Bijoy Roy, assistant vice-president at the company’s regional office in Kolkata on October 1. The payment was to be made in three phases as the work progressed.

Rolta India’s sales head (India), S G Mukund said in the police complaint that the company in its letter of August 6, addressed to the government, informed about the completion of work and sought payment for speedy completion of the remaining work.

According to Mukund’s statement, joint director (survey) land revenue & director settlement (government of Mizoram) S Rolianthanga said the payment would be made by September 15. After the government failed to pay on the said date, the company sent another letter, Mukund said. On October 3, in another letter, the Mizoram government insisted that payment was made and Roy had issued receipts for the same.

Roy, however, denied receiving any payment. Hiten Walia, who looks after the company’s sales in Mumbai, told TOI, “He is unaware of the matter as it was being dealt by Mukund.”

A police officer said, “We have asked the company to submit the contract letters to study the mode of payment that was supposed to be done as per the contract,” the officer said.