Shillong, September 2: The Meghalaya High Court has expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the police investigation into the violence, property damage and assaults on commuters during the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) motorcycle rally in Shillong on August 19.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh, while hearing suo motu PIL No. 16/2026 on Tuesday, observed that the police ought to have stopped the rally as soon as participants began violating the conditions imposed by the district authorities.
The Court directed the police to expedite the investigation, identify all persons involved and take the probe to its logical conclusion.
22 FIRs Registered
The Court was informed that 22 FIRs had been registered in connection with incidents arising from the rally:
- Four at Shillong Sadar Police Station
- Nine at Rynjah Police Station
- Seven at Mawlai Police Station
- One at Laitumkhrah Police Station
- One at Lumdiengjri Police Station
Police informed the Bench that four persons, all KSU leaders, had been arrested. Two vehicles allegedly used during the violence were seized, data from eight mobile phones examined and CCTV footage collected from 27 locations.
The High Court, however, said it was not satisfied with the progress of the investigation.
Court Questions Why Only Four Arrests Have Been Made
The Bench questioned how the police had identified and arrested only four persons when hundreds were allegedly involved in violence, assaults and damage to vehicles and other property.
The Court made it clear that no person allegedly involved in assaulting commuters or damaging property should be spared.
Police were directed to make extensive use of CCTV footage, photographs and other digital evidence to identify those responsible and proceed against them in accordance with law.
Rally Should Have Been Stopped, Court Observes
The High Court observed that the rally should have been stopped midway once participants began violating the conditions imposed by the district authorities.
Under the permission granted for the rally, participants were prohibited from wearing masks or otherwise covering their faces. The organisers had also given an undertaking to comply with the condition. However, several participants were reportedly seen with their faces covered.
The Court also referred to allegations that participants carried wooden sticks, lathis and other objects capable of causing injury despite such items being prohibited. Some vehicles were also allegedly found with concealed registration plates.
The Bench observed that the violence, damage to vehicles and property, and assaults on commuters might have been prevented had the police intervened and stopped the rally immediately after detecting the violations.
Court Seeks Details of Police Response
The High Court sought clarification on whether the entire rally, from its starting point to its conclusion, had been videographed.
It also asked whether the police had complied with the Supreme Court’s directions in Tehseen S. Poonawalla versus Union of India, concerning the prevention of and response to mob violence.
The Bench further sought details on whether any police officer had intervened or attempted to stop the rally, assaults or destruction of property at any point along the route.
SIT Asked to Act Immediately
With regard to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by the Inspector General of Police, the Court directed that all its observations be immediately brought to the notice of the SIT chief so that prompt steps could be taken to identify all those involved.
The Inspector General of Police, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, and the officers-in-charge of Shillong Sadar and Lumdiengjri police stations have been directed to appear personally before the Court at the next hearing.
The police have also been directed to submit a detailed report outlining the status and progress of the investigation.
The matter will be taken up again on September 7.
