Assam: 13 persons acquitted in Rs 1000 cr NC hills scam
First Published: 11th August, 2023 17:41 IST
The Chief Justice noted that there were lapses in the probe by the NIA or other agencies
In a significant development in the Rs 1000 crore North Cachar Hills scam, the Gauhati High Court on Friday acquitted all the 13 persons accused in the case.
All 13 people had been arrested by the NIA in connection with the multi-crore scam. The 13 persons acquitted today include militant turned politicians Jewel Gorlosa, Niranjan Hojai, and Mohit Hojai, the former Chief Executive Member (CEC) of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC).
The former Social Welfare Department’s CDPO and in-charge Deputy Director of NC Hills, Md. Redaul Hussain Khan, who was also named prime accused in the scam, has also been acquitted. He is currently out on bail after serving 12 years in jail.
The high court also rapped the police for arresting the persons without any concrete evidence.
The Chief Justice noted that there were lapses in the probe by the NIA or other agencies.
Speaking after the hearing, senior advocate Bijan Mahajan said, “10 of the accused were out on bail, while 3 were awarded life imprisonment, which include Niranjan Hojai, commander-in-chief of disbanded militant outfit Dima Halam Daogah, DHD (J).”
Bijan Mahajan also shared that the Court has asked to send copies of the judgment to the DGP and other agencies, stating that there must be no lapses so that no such accused should be acquitted.
Most of the accused were lodged in Guwahati Central jail after the NIA special court awarded them life imprisonment in two cases in 2017.
Also Read: Guwahati: Body of a TET teacher found hanging from a tree near Khanapara bus stop
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