The Gauhati High Court recently closed a Suo Motu PIL on the lynching of a youth, Jhankar Saikia, at Diphu town in Karbi Anglong district.
The PIL has been registered on the basis of a news item published in the newspaper on on June 13, 2018 relating to the lynching of Saikia.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Soumitra Saikia was informed by T. J. Mahanta, Senior Standing counsel, Gauhati High Court, that in total 19 accused persons had been identified to be involved in the aforesaid lynching, out of which two were absconding and one was found to be juvenile.
Against the remaining 16 accused persons trial has already been completed of which four have been acquitted and 12 accused persons have been convicted vide order dated 24.02.2020, passed by the District & Sessions Judge, Karbi Anglong, Diphu.
In view of the above, the Court is of the opinion that no useful purpose will be served by keeping this PIL pending. Accordingly, the PIL is closed.