SHILLONG: Meghalaya High Court on Thursday ordered the immediate release of the visually impaired person Luckson Sangma who was arrested for abetting the group that barged into the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex last month.
Issuing this directive, Justice SR Sen also asked the West Garo Hills district police to submit a report to the court as proof whether the accused has been released or not.
Luckson was arrested for allegedly accompanying the group that barged into the DC’s office complex. The group, which comprised of mostly the activists of the Garo Hills State Movement, manhandled several government employees including women staff during a Garoland bandh.
The judgement, however, was passed in the absence of the accused, for which the Justice Sen reprimanded the State police for violating court’s order.
The High Court had earlier directed police to produce Luckson on Thursday.
In his reply, Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills district MK Singh said the accused could not be produced as he had to attend a hearing in Jowai, where he is lodged after being shifted from Tura jail.
Unsatisfied with Singh’s reply, Justice Sen has reprimanded the State government and police for violating the court’s order.
The counsel appearing for the State Respondent informed the court that the accused had already been granted bail by the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Tura and would be released once the formalities were completed.
The court directed that the accused should be handed over to the guardian after his release since he is visually challenged person.