Jowai custodial death case
SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday rejected a joint affidavit- in- opposition filed by joint secretary, state home department, VR Syiem on behalf of respondents regarding the cause of the custodial death of a person in Jowai on August 4 last.
The Court also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 for the defective affidavit and allowed the home department to file a fresh affidavit after two weeks.
The case relates to the petition filed through advocate Sujit Dey by the relative of the victim, 30-year-old Kleophas Nongkhlaw, who was found hanging inside Jowai police station, after he was arrested in connection with a theft case.
Additional District Magistrate DM Wallang in his inquiry report had found procedural lapses on the part of the police personnel at Jowai police station which resulted in the death of Nongkhlaw.
According to the inquiry report, the police personnel had not checked the status of the accused at regular intervals inside the lock up from 4 pm to 8 pm on August 5.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the Counsel for the respondents AH Hazarika had sought two weeks’ time to file affidavit-in-opposition.
The High Court observed that it had already granted two weeks during the last hearing on October 6. However, the High Court allowed further two weeks’ time subject to the payment of Rs 5,000 at the registry of the Court as cost for filing affidavit.
The money will be deposited within two weeks in the account of Director, Social Welfare department for the use of the inmates of juvenile home.
The respondents will have to provide the receipt of money deposited for the Court to accept the affidavit and the next hearing will be held on November 24.