Cop death probe
SHILLONG: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SP (City) Vivek Syiem has reached the conclusion that pressure was exerted on Sub Inspector (late) P.J. Marbaniang after he detained 32 coal-laden trucks in Patharkhmah. The SIT also arrested five persons on Wednesday including a Block Development Officer and members of the FKJGP Western Zone on charge of abetment to suicide.
Addressing a press conference in the city on Thursday, Syiem who is heading the probe into the sensational suicide case said the SIT during its course of investigation examined as many as 123 people.
Stating that the five people who have been arrested are influential people in the area, Syiem said police has submitted a 974-page charge sheet under Section 306 of the IPC before the Court in Ri Bhoi.
“The detaining of coal trucks affected these people and they exerted pressure on P.J. Marbaniang which led him to take his own life,” he said, adding that the arrested people were produced before the CJM Court, Ri Bhoi and they have been remanded in 14-day judicial custody.
The arrested people have been identified as Granvill Harly Passah (39), who is the Block Development Officer of Jirang C&RD Block, Centrewell Dolloi, president of FKJGP, Western Zone, Shemphang Nongtrai, member, FKJGP Western zone, Lawyer Syngkli, working president, FKJGP, Western Zone and Coming Star Kharbani, who is a government contractor.
The SIT will also submit a report of its investigation to the High Court of Meghalaya before October 17.
Syiem also asserted that the SIT has filed as many as six FIRs with Nongpoh police against 30 people including government officials and police personnel from Patharkhmah police outpost and the Jirang BDO for illegal collection of money from coal trucks.
The SIT was first given ninety days to complete its investigation and the timeline was subsequently extended by 45 days.
It may be reminded that Marbaniang’s body was found with bullet wounds on his head on the night of January 24 less than 24 hours after he detained 32 coal-laden trucks which were illegally transporting coal.
Discrepancies in the medical and post-mortem reports and the version of the doctor had compelled the State Home department to set up the SIT.