By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Shillong Bench of the Gauhati High Court on Friday granted bail to GNLA chairman Champion R Sangma in two out of the three cases leveled against him.
Champion’s lawyer Sujit Dey informed that the court granted the bail following a hearing on a bail petition filed on behalf of his client (Champion) in two cases registered at Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills district.
Champion’s wife Enritha N Marak had moved for bail in the High Court on December 17 last year after the police failed to file a chargesheet against the accused within the mandatory period of 90 days.
Dey informed newspersons that Champion expressed happiness after learning of the court’s decision.
The lawyer also stated that Champion was still keen on contesting the upcoming election.
“Until he is convicted Champion can always contest the election. It does matter whether he is inside or outside the jail,” Dey said.
Asked about the constituency from where the GNLA chief is going to contest, Dey said that there are three or four constituencies which Champion is considering, but he has not yet revealed the names of these constituencies,” Champion’s lawyer added.
Champion, a former Deputy Superintendent of Police who had co-founded the GNLA in 2010, was arrested on July 30 from the border area of Umkrem Pyrdiwah, after he was pushed back from Bangladesh. He was in jail in Bangladesh and had completed his prison term there before being pushed back to India.
The GNLA chief was wanted by police for masterminding several crimes, including killings and extortion in insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills.
Champion is facing charges under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.