SHILLONG, May 12: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) on Sunday made it clear that the state government should ensure that the position of Director General of Police, Lajja Ram Bishnoi should not influence the ongoing investigation against him.
“The VPP expresses concern that the DGP has been accused of illegalities. The Police department should investigate the matter as per law,” VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh said.
He said, “The position of the official should not influence the process of investigation as everybody is equal before the law.”
The Meghalaya Police have registered a case against DGP Bishnoi after suspended police officer Gabriel K Iangrai lodged an FIR accusing the former of misusing his position and tampering with the registration number of his official vehicle.
Iangrai levelled charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust as well as forgery and cheating against the DGP who is set to demit office on May 19.
In the FIR filed with the Sadar Police Station, Iangrai said that an inquiry committee was constituted on July 18, 2022, and its report stated that a Hyundai Verna parked at the Central Workshop had been allotted a fake number. It also said the AIG-A did not register the vehicle as no documents were available.
Citing a letter received through a Right to Information (RTI) application, he said the registration number of a white Kia Carnival limousine that the DGP uses is actually of a Verna 1.6 VTVT registered with the state Tourism Department.
Iangrai said Bishnoi arrived in Shillong on May 17, 2022, to join as the DGP in a white Kia Carnival registered with the Assam government and it apparently had the number plate changed with that of the Verna, Iangrai said.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness called up The Shillong Times informing that the DGP’s vehicle (Kia Carnival) was seen sporting the previous Assam registration plate on Sunday.
The Shillong Times could not independently ascertain the veracity of the claim.
