Chargesheet against Deborah
SHILLONG: The report of East Garo Hills Police filing a chargesheet against Social Welfare Minister Deborah Ch. Marak has already been intimated to State Legislative Assembly Speaker A.T. Mondal, who confirmed the same on Tuesday.
The Speaker informed that he had received the Police report on Monday night regarding the charge-sheet filed against the legislator.
Reacting to a query on whether Police have sought his permission to arrest Marak, the Speaker said he had only received intimation from the East Garo Hills Superintendent of Police that the MLA has been charge-sheeted and added that nothing more was sought from him.
As per the rules of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, permission to arrest any legislator is sought from the Speaker only if the incident has occurred within the precinct of the Assembly.
Earlier, Meghalaya DGP P.J.P. Hanaman informed media persons that Police had intimated the matter to the Speaker last month.
The Police chief said that since all cases were non-bailable and arrest could be made at any time it was necessary to intimate the Speaker prior to the arrest.
Regarding Tennydard Marak, he said that Police were hunting for him. “If needed we will declare him as absconding,” Hanaman added.
Election dept silent
Though East Garo Hills Police have been prompt in charge sheeting Deborah Ch. Marak for allegedly using the name of GNLA in her election campaigning, the State Election department has not made any inquiry into the matter.
When contacted, Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer, P. Naik, said that the Election Commission had not received any complaint on the matter. “I cannot comment further on the legality of the matter,” he added.
