Meghalaya BJP vice prez accused of running prostitution racket; evades arrest

Meghalaya BJP vice-president, Tura MDC Bernard Marak is evading arrest on charges of running a prostitution racket.

Indeed, what can be termed a big expose by the Meghalaya Police, this sensational fact has come to light while investigating a sexual assault case of a minor that dates back to February 28 this year.

More skeletons tumbled out of the box during the raids at the so-called farmhouse Rimpu Bagan which has been owned by Bernard Marak.

During the raids which began on Friday evening and concluded at 5 yesterday morning, the police found many young boys and girls openly drinking on the premises, inside the rooms as well as inside the vehicles, and were found in compromising positions.

Accordingly, the search team detained all these boys and girls numbering around 68 for interrogation. However, some of them managed to run away taking advantage of the darkness.

The search team also apprehended the manager, caretaker, and other three staff.

Later, the whole premise was searched in presence of independent witnesses, and 36 vehicles, 47 mobile phones, illegally stashed liquor, a huge quantity of contraceptives, and other incriminating materials were recovered.

Shockingly, five children including 4 boys and one girl were also found locked inside a dingy cabin-like unhygienic room.

All the children were in a state of shock and were unable to speak properly. All these children were handed over to the District Child Protection Officer for safe custody and further necessary action as per law.

From the materials recovered at Rimpu Bagan as well as the design of the building etc, it appears that the place was being used by Bernard N Marak and his accomplices as a “BROTHEL” for the purpose of prostitution.

All 73 detained persons have been arrested and forwarded to court. The prime accused Bernard N Marak was verbally instructed to cooperate with the investigation and surrender himself at Shillong Sadar Police Station immediately.

However, he has not cooperated and is evading arrest as per the West Garo Hills police.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya DGP LR Bishnoi said that there are no whereabouts of Bernard Marak as of now, while his last location was traced to be in Guwahati.

Earlier, West Garo Hills SP Vivekananda Singh also spoke to our Chief of Bureau Arindam Das on this big development in detail.