The Meghalaya High Court has directed police to complete its investigation into the unnatural death of a police trainee from Assam by May 31, 2025.
Disposing of a writ petition, the single bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji said the court is perplexed that after three years the investigation could not be completed and hence no charge-sheet could be filed.
“This Court is not minded to interfere with the criminal proceedings. Nevertheless, considering the special facts of this case, this Court directs that the investigation must be positively concluded by 31st May, 2025, resulting in the filing of the charge-sheet before the learned trial court,” Mukerji said.
The trial court will proceed with the trial in accordance with law and as expeditiously as the business of the court permits, he added.
It may be mentioned that the police trainee reportedly drowned in a swimming pool at the North Eastern Police Academy in Umiam Academy on March 9, 2022.
According to the victim’s family which lodged the first information report, there were 29 policemen near the victim and that the case of drowning by accident is not to be accepted.
The petitioner had moved the court seeking a full-fledged investigation, identification of the accused and framing of charge and speedy criminal trial.
It was submitted to the court by the counsel for the police authorities that the investigation is still continuing.
