SHILLONG: In a momentary relief to the outgoing Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP), the Meghalaya High Court has ordered the state government not to take any coercive action against LR Bishnoi.
The High Court bench presided over by Justice B Bhattacharjee passed the order following a petition filed by Bishnoi himself, challenging the FIR lodged by suspended police officer Gabriel K. Iangrai.
The FIR at Shillong Sadar police station alleges the tampering of the registration number of the DGP’s vehicle.
During the court proceedings, the arguments put forth by the petitioner’s counsel underlined a suspicion of “ulterior motives” behind Iangrai’s actions.
It was contended that the FIR seemed driven by “a desire for retaliation due to previous inquiries” conducted against Iangrai during DGP Bishnoi’s tenure.
Additionally, the counsel argued that the allegations in the FIR did not meet the legal standards for the Sections under which it was registered.
In response to the court’s decision, the additional advocate general requested more time to gather instructions.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma affirmed that the investigation into the complaint against DGP Bishnoi would persist even after his retirement.
Sangma clarified that retirement does not exempt individuals from ongoing legal procedures.
“When a complaint arises, every FIR constitutes a valid case, and according to the law, all necessary actions will be taken, regardless of who the person is,” he asserted during a press briefing.
The FIR against DGP Bishnoi was lodged on May 9 by former Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Meghalaya Police, GK Iangrai, alleging the misuse and tampering of a vehicle registration number plate.
DGP Bishnoi is poised to retire on May 19 and the matter will be heard after three weeks.
