Meghalaya HC directs completion of departmental proceedings against ex-AIGP by March, next year

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 2, 2024

The Meghalaya High Court has directed that the departmental proceedings against senior police official GK Iangrai for his alleged involvement in corruption cases, be concluded by March 31, next year.

Passing its judgment on Monday, the bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh said, “The Court was moved on the allegation that the authorities were not vigilant enough to initiate action with regard to the above alleged wrongdoing by the delinquent. The Court intervened. We find that by the passage of about two years substantial steps, as desired by the Court have been taken. Therefore, this matter does not need any further prodding by the Court, in our opinion. We dispose of this PIL by directing that the departmental proceedings be concluded as soon as possible preferably by 31^st March, 2025. We also direct that the criminal cases be disposed of within that period preferably.”

Iangrai has been accused of irregularly procuring about 29 vehicles for the police department, keeping them in his custody and mis-utilizing them when he was the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP).

The judgment was also passed after the court was informed by the Advocate General that out of 43 witnesses for the prosecution in the departmental enquiry, 41 have been examined and two are not available. Therefore, examination of the prosecution witnesses is complete.

“We are also told that the charge-sheet in the criminal cases has been framed against the officer. He was arrested, was detained and is now enlarged on bail. We have taken all these facts into account. We are of the view that the purpose of the PIL has been served,” the bench stated.