Northeast India’s Only English and Hindi Satellite News Channel

GNLA Chairman all set to walk free after Supreme Court orders immediate release

First Published: 22nd March, 2018 9:19 IST

In a major blow to the security forces’ fight against insurgency in Meghalaya, the Supreme Court has ordered immediate release of GNLA Chairman Champion Sangma, who has been languishing in

In a major blow to the security forces’ fight against insurgency in Meghalaya, the Supreme Court has ordered immediate release of GNLA Chairman Champion Sangma, who has been languishing in the Shillong Prison for nearly six years.

A bench of Justice AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan set aside the order passed by Additional Judicial Magistrate allowing an application made by the prosecution against the release of Sangma. The bench noted that the application for the rejection of Sangma’s bail application was defective as Sangma has never filed any bail application.

Champion Sangma, a former Meghalaya cop was arrested from Mymensingh of Bangladesh on July 2012. A number of criminal cases has been registered against Champion Sangma and in most cases, the militant leader was either acquitted or discharged.

Meanwhile, in some of the cases that are still pending, the GNLA Chairman had been granted bail except in Case GR No. 72/2011 in which charge-sheet was filed. However, the Apex Court through its order made it clear that the State shall not preclude from taking any appropriate legal step steps against Sangma, which are permissible in law.

This comes barely a month after GNLA Commander-in-Chief, Sohan D Shira was gunned down by Meghalaya Police’s SF-10 Commandos in an encounter at Achakpek near Dobu in East Garo Hills district.

COMMENTS

WE RECOMMEND

Banner
Determined to resolve border issue: Meghalaya CM in Assembly

CM Conrad Sangma said that successive governments have always maintained the status quo on the inter-state boundary issues

21st February 2024
Banner
Meghalaya Assembly rejects private bill to strengthen Lokayukta Act 2021

Assembly Speaker Thomas Sangma put the Bill to voice-vote, the house rejected it.

20th February 2024
Banner
Meghalaya CM reassures to work for inclusion of Khasi, Garo languages in 8th Schedule

Conrad Sangma said that talks focusing on the issue always tops the agenda whenever he finds an opportunity to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

19th February 2024
Banner
Meghalaya: Big setback for Congress, 2 sitting and 1 ex-MDC jump ship to NPP

Meghalaya CM and NPP chief Conrad Sangma welcomed the leaders to the NPP in a mega joining event.

19th February 2024
Banner
Lok Sabha polls: I.N.D.I.A bloc sets eyes on Meghalaya, former CM Mukul Sangma drops a hint

According to Mukul Sangma, discussions are happening within the I.N.D.I.A. bloc with the intent of having single candidate as far as some of the seats in some of the states are concerned

19th February 2024