SHILLONG, June 9: The High Court of Meghalaya has set aside the conviction and sentence of Louis Dohtdong and Comius Dohtdong in connection with a 2011 assault case at Sohra Bus Stand, Mawlonghat, Shillong, that resulted in the death of Rijied Kurkalang on March 20, 2011.
The single-judge bench of Justice Wanlura Diengdoh observed that although eyewitnesses named the two appellants as being involved in the assault, no specific evidence established who inflicted the fatal injuries. It noted that several persons were allegedly involved in the incident, but only the two appellants were prosecuted.
Holding that there was no credible evidence proving the involvement of the appellants beyond reasonable doubt, the court extended the benefit of doubt to them and quashed the conviction and sentence passed by the Additional Sessions Court, Shillong.
The high court further ordered that the appellants be released and freed from all liabilities in the case.
