HC to re-examine cop’s death case

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has said that it may look into the papers and make appropriate orders in accordance with law on its own motion in the case pertaining to the death of police officer PJ Marbaniang.
A writ petition on the matter was disposed of by an order of March 22, 2016. However, an order dated May 8, 2023 was received by the high court earlier this week in which the Supreme Court has set aside the order of March 22, 2016 and has required the high court to decide and dispose of the writ petition afresh in accordance with law and on its own merits and taking into consideration the observations made by this court in reference to another case and other relevant material on record and may also consider whether the investigation is to be handed over to another agency or not.
The court asked the counsel to take instructions as to whether there is anyone interested in pursuing the petition.
On behalf of the state, it was submitted that the criminal trial is proceeding in right earnest before the Sessions Judge, Shillong and more than 10 witnesses have been examined.
“The matter will appear a fortnight hence and even if no one else is interested in pursuing the petition, the court may look into the papers and make appropriate orders in accordance with law on its own motion,” the order said.
It may be mentioned that Marbaniang was found dead with bullet injuries on his head inside his official residence at Patharkhmah a day after he had detained 32 illegal coal-laden trucks on January 24, 2015.