HC closes activists’ assault case

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya on Wednesday closed the proceedings of the pending case related to the assault on activists Agnes Kharshiing and Amita Sangma at Sohshrieh, East Jaintia Hills, on November 8 last year.
Soon after the incident, Sangma had filed a petition demanding a CBI probe into the matter.
Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir, during the hearing of the case in the past, ensured the police to file charge sheet against the accused persons.
Police filed charge-sheet against 26 persons who had assaulted the social activists.
The activists were assaulted by a mob while they were probing illegal transportation of coal.
34 witnesses have been mentioned in the charge-sheet but their identity was not disclosed to avoid any influence or threat or coercion.
While many involved in the case were arrested by the police, some of the accused surrendered.
The investigating officer Gilbert A.L. Marshillong made a submission that he is awaiting the report of Central Forensic Science Laboratory.
The Director, Central Forensic Science Laboratory had conveyed to the Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills that the case is under examination and police can collect the report and remnants of the exhibits after completion of examination as early as possible.
The e forensic report is awaited as DNA profiling comparison of victims and exhibits (weapons used for committing offence) is yet to be completed.
The investigating officer assured that as soon as the requisite report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory is received, further steps will be taken, including filing supplementary charge-sheet
The court felt that since objective of the petition is achieved, the counsel for the petitioners is not averse to closing of the proceedings.
The court also allowed the petitioner of Sangma to move a separate motion for transfer of the case from the court of Khliehriat to Shillong.