Shillong, Jul 15: East Garo Hills police have made a final determination that a body found under Williamnagar Police Station in July last year was that of the chief suspect in the horrific assault and murder of a minor girl committed a few days before.
Police informed that the ‘Final Form’ in connection with the murder of the teenage girl has been submitted, with DNA evidence confirming that the prime accused, who had been absconding, was dead.
The case goes back to July 18, 2025 when James R Sangma is alleged to have hacked the girl to death in broad daylight at Samgong village. The case caused outrage and police launched a manhunt and sought cooperation from the public.
Sangma absconded after the incident and intensive search operations were launched and sustained efforts were made by the district police to apprehend him by adopting all lawful investigative measures. Despite exhaustive efforts, the accused could not be traced.
However, 11 days later, a highly decomposed unidentified male dead body was recovered from Dawa Matchakolgre village under Williamnagar Police Station. The apparel and personal items on the body of the deceased were identified as Sangma’s by his family.
To scientifically ascertain the identity of the deceased, biological samples collected during the post-mortem examination, along with blood samples of Sangma’s siblings were forwarded to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for DNA profiling and expert opinion.
The CFSL reported that the biological samples came back positive for a biological relationship with Sangma’s siblings. Reading this in conjunction with the oral, documentary and other corroborative evidence collected during the course of investigation, it was established that the deceased was Sangma.
Police did not reveal the progress of the investigation into what caused Sangma’s death.
The authorities asserted that the investigation had been conducted in a fair, impartial, professional and scientific manner and that all available legal, scientific and investigative measures have been undertaken to ensure that the truth is brought before the court and justice is pursued strictly in accordance with law.
As the matter is now sub-judice before the court, the police appealed to the public to refrain from speculation or the dissemination of misinformation.
