Shillong, June 16: High Court of Meghalaya has asked for all papers related to the case of PJ Marbaniang.
The Supreme Court had on May 8 sent back to the high court the petition for CBI probe into the mysterious death of Marbaniang, who was the former officer in-charge of Patharkhmah police outpost.
A day after he detained 32 illegal coal-laden trucks on January 24, 2015, Marbaniang was found dead with bullet injuries on his head inside his official residence at Patharkhmah.
During the hearing on Friday, the court said in the previous order of May 31, it was clearly indicated that in view of the circumstances in which the petition was filed, even if no one stepped up to prosecute the same upon the death of the original writ petitioner, the court could look into the papers and make appropriate orders on its own motion.
Mother of the late police officer, Dorothy Marbaniang, had filed the petition for the CBI probe in the apex court but she passed away.
“The state is directed to produce copies of all papers pertaining to the matter, particularly the report filed by the investigating agency, the charge-sheet and the evidence recorded thus far. Such papers should be made available within a fortnight.
The matter will be heard again on July 12.
Earlier during the hearing, the advocate previously representing the writ petitioner submitted that no heir or legal representative of the original writ petitioner is available or willing to further prosecute the petition.
This petition was disposed of by an order of March 22, 2016 and has been revived by an order of the Supreme Court with a mandate to the high court to dispose of the writ petition afresh upon considering whether the investigation ought to be handed over to some other agency.
According to the state, the investigation was completed quite some time back and the trial has commenced. The state reported that the trial has also progressed substantially.
