Shillong, May 27: Police have clarified regarding the registration of cases linked to the alleged vandalism incident at Chibinang on March 9.
According to a statement issued by Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Abraham T. Sangma, a joint FIR was lodged on March 18 this year , by the Joint Secretary of GSU Chibinang Regional Unit and the General Secretary of GSU Phulbari Regional Unit against former MLA of 46-Phulbari Constituency, S.G. Esmatur Mominin, in connection with alleged criminal offences that reportedly took place at Chibinang. The complaint also mentioned the alleged vandalisation of the GSU office and a statue at Chibinang Bazar.
Based on the FIR, Phulbari PS Case No. 12/2026 was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with provisions of the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act. Police stated that the accused persons have already been arrested and investigation into the case is underway.
The release further informed that on April 14,another complaint related to the same incident was received from Bernard N. Marak. The complaint was subsequently forwarded to the Officer In-Charge of Phulbari Police Station for necessary action.
Police clarified that since both complaints relate to the same incident and set of facts, the complaint submitted by Bernard N. Marak has been treated as supplementary to the already registered Phulbari PS Case No. 12/2026.
Citing the Supreme Court judgment in T.T. Antony vs State of Kerala & Others (2001) 6 SCC 181, the district police stated that multiple FIRs cannot ordinarily be registered for the same occurrence, and any subsequent information must form part of the investigation in the original case.
The police further stated that all enquiries and investigation related to the incident are being carried out under the existing registered case in accordance with legal procedures, and necessary action will be taken against those found involved based on evidence collected during investigation.
The clarification was issued to avoid misunderstanding or confusion regarding the registration of multiple FIRs in connection with the same incident and to keep the public properly informed.
