SHILLONG: The relatives of former Congress MLA Stanlywiss Rymbai, who was arrested in connection with the multi-crore land scam on January 25, were prevented by the police from meeting him at the Shillong Civil Hospital prompting their lawyer VGK Kynta to file a petition before the Court of District and Sessions Judge citing human rights violation.
Kynta alleged on Tuesday that the state CID committed human rights violations in the case of arrest and detention of Rymbai.
“Though the case was registered in 2012, without going into the merit, Rymbai, who was entrusted with the power of attorney on behalf of Umsaw Khwan village, was requested by the Investigating Officer P.S Paul Choudhury for taking evidence, but he was arrested,” the lawyer said.
According to the lawyer, Rymbai was summoned on January 24, and the entire day he was interrogated. He was asked to come again the next day only to be arrested.
“After his arrest on January 25 evening, he was produced before the court and was remanded to 14-day judicial custody, but since he was not in good health due to diabetes, the Court directed the police to provide him medical treatment at the civil hospital,” Kynta said. The lawyer said that none of the relatives were allowed to visit Rymbai even on Tuesday, which prompted him to file the petition before the lower court.
He wondered as to how police can prevent the visit of the relatives when Rymbai is in judicial custody and not remanded in police custody.
Rymbai’s son Balamut Lang Mawlong said though the relatives got permission once to visit Rymbai, it was cancelled later without any reason.
The matter will come up for hearing on Wednesday.
The CID had arrested the former Umroi legislator after he received Rs 8 crore from the Forest and Environment Department for land acquisition for afforestation at Mawpalai in Ri Bhoi though the land was already in the possession of the Soil and Water Conservation Department.
After the CAG reported the matter, the Public Accounts Committee has been following up the case.
