Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court ordered police to merge five criminal cases against TMC leader and former MLA S.G. Esmatur Mominin. Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere issued the directive on August 5. All complaints stem from alleged hate speeches during the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections.
The legal fight centers on five distinct FIRs. These were filed at Araimile and Phulbari police stations in West Garo Hills. The charges invoke the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act. The complaints rely on video clips and media reports. Mominin argues they lack direct complainant knowledge.
Additional Advocate General N.D. Chullai agreed to the consolidation. Four cases from Phulbari Police Station will move to Araimile. These include Case No. 10, 11, 12, and 13 of 2026. These involve complaints from Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma, John Leslee K. Sangma, Karit A. Sangma, Pangsrang A. Sangma of the Garo Students’ Union, and Greneth M. Sangma. They will now merge with Araimile Police Station Case No. 19 of 2026. This was the first case filed on March 10, 2026.
The state must transfer all files within three days. Mominin originally sought to quash the cases. He amended his four petitions to request this consolidation instead. The court disposed of the petitions following the state's agreement. The Chief Justice noted, "the complaints arose out of the same set of allegations and constituted a single cause of action." Mominin remains free to file for the quashing of the combined proceedings later.
Comments