Court orders CID probe into Durga idol immersion

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya on Friday ordered a CID probe into the washing of Durga idols by Fire Brigade by the order of the East Jaintia Hills district administration.
Earlier on November 15, one of the counsels for the petitioner, S Dey, had submitted that in the recent Durga Puja, the Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills did not allow immersion of the idols and compelled the puja committee to wash them with the help of Fire Brigade.
Following the order, Deputy Commissioner FM Dopth appeared before the court on Friday.
The court found the stand of the deputy commissioner contradictory while the counsels for the petitioners K Paul and Dey said they were ready to bring on record the video clipping of the immersion.
The single bench headed by Justice SR Sen directed the Additional DGP, CID headquarters, to investigate the matter and find the truth as to how and in what manner the immersion of the idol this year had taken place and to submit the report within a week.
The additional DGP has been asked to depute an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police “who should be very neutral to do the job in a free and fair manner”.
The government also assured to construct the road leading to Shiv Mandir, Durga Mandir and Bishari Mandir but the government needed sometime.
“In my earlier order, one month’s time was granted and now the same has been extended by another 15 days. PWD should not ask for further time and they are to complete the work within the period of 45 days,” the judge said.
Another point raised by the additional advocate general is about the earlier order regarding a room constructed by the PWD and it was submitted that that there is no PWD room on the premises of the temple.
In reply, counsel for the petitioner, Paul said he will file an objection.
The matter will come up for hearing after a week.