The Meghalaya High Court will tomorrow take up the appeal by former NPP leader Nidamon Chullet challenging his conviction by the District and Sessions Court, Jowai which sentenced him to life imprisonment for his involvement in murder case committed 14 years back.
During the hearing of the matter on March 7, the High Court had sought the lower court records and also directed for preparation of paper books within a fortnight so that the appeal may be heard after five weeks.
The High Court also had stated that considering the seriousness of the incident and the reasons furnished, Chullet’s plea for suspension of sentence at this stage cannot be acceded to.
However, the court said that it will be open to him to renew such a plea at a subsequent stage.
On January 19, the District and Sessions Court, Jowai convicted Chullet for an offence under Section 302 of IPC for murdering one Ewanmi Lhuid in Jowai in February 2008.
Apart from getting life imprisonment, Chullet was also fined Rs 50,000 by the court.
Chullet was the NPP working president of Jaintia Hills region. He also holds the post of president of Jaintia Hills Truck Owners’ Association (JHTOA).
Another accused in the case Koming Rabon was also convicted under Section 201 of IPC. He was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10,000.
“The fine amount if and when realised shall be paid to the immediate relatives of the deceased. Let intimation be sent to the Investigating Officer if the fine amount is deposited,” Sessions Judge Barisuk Khriam said in the order.
The two accused persons were given the opportunity of hearing in person where they prayed before the court to grant them a minimum sentence and also sought for sincere forgiveness.
A day after Chullet was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, the NPP said that it had stripped him of all the posts he held in the party.
