Kohima: IAS officer Reny Wilfred secured permission from the Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench on September 29 to withdraw his criminal revision petition. He plans to file a new challenge against the framing of charges in a sexual harassment case involving 10 women employees of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland. The court granted him liberty to proceed after his counsel noted that the framing of charges on May 20, 2026, occurred after the initial petition was filed. A discharge application was previously dismissed, and the Supreme Court rejected Wilfred's challenge to a December 2025 judgment refusing to quash the criminal proceedings.
In a separate matter, the court quashed an FIR and charge sheet stemming from violent incidents during the 2026 Koridang Assembly bye-election. Independent candidate Imchatoba Imchen originally alleged that BJP candidate Daochir I Imchen's supporters and members of the Mangmetong Village Council attacked five houses and damaged 12 vehicles on April 6, 2026. The parties settled the dispute on May 31, 2026, stating the initial FIR served only to ensure a peaceful election. Justice Helen Daungliani noted the allegations were general and the dispute was resolved. The court invoked its jurisdiction under Section 528 of the BNSS to prevent abuse of process. “In the present case, it appears from the records that the Respondents have complied with the directions of this Court,” Justice Nchumbemo Mozhui stated in an unrelated ruling.
That ruling closed a contempt petition from the All Nagaland PWD Field Workers Association regarding time-bound pay. State authorities spent Rs 41,43,894 to settle arrears for 2025-26. A banking error involving an incorrect IFSC code delayed the payout, but the state issued a fresh drawal authority on September 8. Additionally, a Division Bench on September 30 labeled the construction progress on the Chakhabama to Kikruma stretch of the Kohima to Jessami Road as unsatisfactory, ordering the Authority Engineer to submit a report on the delays.
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