The Meghalaya High Court has recently disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging misuse of power and authority by an Assistant Inspector General of Police, who was accused of irregularly procuring 29 vehicles for the police department and misutilizing them.
The bench of Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh had been monitoring the departmental proceedings and criminal cases initiated against the officer.
The court was informed that out of 43 witnesses for the prosecution in the departmental enquiry, 41 had been examined, and the charge-sheet in the criminal cases had been framed against the officer.
Considering that substantial steps had been taken by the authorities, the court held that the purpose of the PIL had been served.
The court directed that the departmental proceedings be concluded as soon as possible, preferably by March 31, 2025, and that the criminal cases be disposed of within the same period.
The court also held that any person aggrieved by the outcome of the proceedings could approach the ordinary courts of law for remedy.