From Our Correspondent
TURA, Aug 23: The High Court of Meghalaya has granted interim relief to Tura MDC and BJP spokesperson, Bernard N Marak, in the ‘Tura Mayhem’ case following a writ petition filed by the MDC through his counsels.
While Bernard was named in the FIR of additional people who instigated the mob and the alleged conspiracy to cause harm to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Marak had claimed that he had absolutely no role in the violence that took place on July 24, outside the mini secretariat in the town of Tura. He did, however, support the cause of the hunger strike led by ACHIK members who sought a winter capital as well the retrospective implementation of the roster system.
The petition had to allow for the recording of the statement of Marak without adopting any coercive measures and for the quashing/setting aside the proceedings of the case filed by the police. Marak was amongst a list of at least 50 people who had been named in the list of suspects for the alleged attempt on the CM’s life.
The FIR had alleged that the entire episode was an attempt to murder the CM, the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police along with other state government authorities.
Bernard had alleged political vendetta for the move of the police which he claimed was without any basis only because he was a member of the BJP. The Court observed that an anticipatory bail was not possible in the case due to the fact that the case had been booked under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, under Section 43 (D) 4.
“The petitioner has made out a case for an interim protection. Accordingly, it is hereby directed that in the event of the petitioner’s arrest in connection with the Araimile P.S. case no.16(07)/2023, the petitioner shall be released on bail on furnishing personal bond or Rs. 50,000/- (fifty thousand rupees) with two sureties of like amount on the condition that the petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation before the Investigating Authority as and when required. He shall not, directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat to any person acquainted with the facts of the case. The petitioner shall also not leave the station without prior information to the Investigating Agency,” said the Court in its order on Wednesday providing relief to the Tura MDC.
