'Doesn't Appear Investigation Was Satisfactory' : Meghalaya High Court Stays Trial In Death Case Of Cop Who Resisted Illegal Coal Racket

The Meghalaya High Court stayed the trial in the case related to the death of police officer PJ Marbaniang after expressing doubts about the SIT investigation.

"Even though the State says that the trial is proceeding, it does not appear that the investigation was satisfactory. Accordingly, let the trial not be continued till further orders", the bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh ordered while hearing a petition filed by Dorothy Marbaniang, the mother of the officer. The SIT finding is that the officer died by suicide.

Marbaniang was killed in 2015 after he resisted the release of as many as 32 seized trucks which had violated NGT ban on transportation of coal.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), appointed by the court, recently submitted its report, pointing towards the existence of a well-organized network engaged in illegal coal mining, transportation, and related activities. The SIT report shed light on the presence of registers detailing fixed rates per truck for allowing the illicit transport of illegally-mined coal, illegally-felled timber, and illegally-extracted boulders. Notably, the report also identified certain individuals, including officials, allegedly involved in these illegal operations.

Expressing deep concern over the SIT's findings, the court concluded that the investigation was inadequate and ordered an immediate halt to the trial until further notice.

During the court proceedings, Mr. K. Khan, the Additional Advocate-General, was called upon to provide assistance to the court. The judges expressed their hope that Mr. Khan's commitment to his office would not hinder his ability to offer fair and impartial support to the court in this matter.

To safeguard the integrity of the SIT report and the trial court papers, the court has entrusted their custody to an officer attached to the Meghalaya High Court. These documents will only be accessible to the members of the bench and Mr. Khan for examination.

The Supreme Court, on May 8 this year, had asked the High Court to reconsider the petition for a CBI probe into the mysterious death of Marbaniang.

The case is set to reappear in court two weeks from now, on July 27, 2023.

Case Title: Smt Dorothy Marbaniang vs State of Meghalaya & ors

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