Headman’s murder case
SHILLONG: Unhappy over the delay in the trial of a case of alleged assault of a village headman leading to his death, the High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday directed immediate transfer of the case from at the court of ADM, Khliehriat to the Court of District and Sessions Judge, Jowai.
In the year 2013, one Bri-Sumer (the then headman of Jalaphet Village) and his friend Braceman Gympad were proceeding from Sutnga towards Khliehriat in their vehicle and on reaching Moopala Village, a Gypsy came from behind and dashed and blocked the car. Subsequently, five unknown persons emerged out of the Gypsy, armed with machete (dao) and other weapons, and attacked the victim without any reason as a result of which he was seriously injured and had to be shifted to Woodland Hospital, Shillong for treatment. The headman died later.
In the hearing on Wednesday, the petitioner submitted that the charge sheet in the case, which was filed two years back, is still pending.
Justice SR Sen, while hearing the petition said that the learned ADM, Khliehriat must take note that speedy trial of a case is the right of the accused and the court should not sit over the trial for years.
The Court also directed the ADM, Khliehriat to send the record within two days from the date of receipt of the copy of this order.
The High Court also directed both the prosecution and the accused to be present in the Court of the District and Sessions Judge, Jowai and the Judge was directed to dispose of the matter expeditiously.
