GUWAHATI: The Meghalaya High Court has ordered an investigation into the death of an Assam Police trainee at the Northeastern Police Academy (NEPA) in Umiam, and has set May 31 as the deadline for its completion.
ALSO READ: Guwahati To Host Its First-ever Cricket Test Match In November When India Play SA
Additionally, the court directed that the charge sheet be submitted to the trial court, which will proceed with the case as per legal provisions and without any unnecessary delay. “The trial court will proceed with the trial in accordance with law and as expeditiously as the business of the court permits,” the order stated.
“This court is quite perplexed to hear that after three years, the investigation could not be completed; hence, no charge sheet could be filed,” Chief Justice IP Mukherji stated.
This directive came in response after a writ petition was filed by one Birendra Pandit, as the case pertains to the death of a police trainee, who allegedly drowned in a swimming pool at NEPA on March 9, 2022. While preliminary reports attributed the cause of death to drowning, the victim’s family contested this claim.
In their FIR, the family highlighted that 29 policemen were present near the victim at the time, raising doubts about the possibility of an accidental drowning. Seeking justice, they approached the court for a thorough investigation, identification of suspects, and a speedy trial.
Meghalaya Police, in response, confirmed that the probe remains ongoing following the registration of a criminal case.
