Julius Dorphang, the former Mawhati MLA and ex-chairman of the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) was taken into police custody after he was convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for raping a minor girl.
After committing the crime in 2016, Dorphang absconded and he was then arrested in Guwahati in January 2017.
On June 25 this year the Meghalaya High Court set aside and quashed the order for non-bailable warrant of arrest against him issued by the Special Judge (POCSO), Ri-Bhoi.
The Special Judge (POCSO), Ri-Bhoi, in an order passed on June 21 cancelled the bond and two sureties executed by Dorphang. Consequently, a non-bailable arrest warrant was issued against him.
The reasons cited by the trial court, which culminated in issuance of the non-bailable arrest warrant, was because of the conduct of Dorphang, who failed to appear before the court on several dates in connection with the rape charges against him.
