Shillong, June 21: The Meghalaya High Court has asked for a case record concerning an under trial prisoner (UTP), who has served the longest term in the state for nearly 12 years.
In its order issued on Wednesday, the division bench directed that the case record concerning the UTP as also the UTP himself, be produced before the court immediately.
The directive came following summary of the UTP’s cases presented before the Court during a hearing on the petition filed by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA).
The bench said, “it is noticed that in few cases, the accused is in custody for more than five years and the trial is still going on. One such case appears to be of a UTP being in custody probably for the longest term in the State of Meghalaya i.e., for a period of 11 years and 11 months.”
Concerning the UTP identified as Demansingh Kynter, it has been stated by the government advocate that the matter was pending in the District Council Court at Shillong, and the accused was charged with offences under Sections 302/376/34 IPC in FTC (s) No.17 of 2006.
The bench also directed the Registrar General to issue necessary production/process immediately and the matter be re-listed in the second session sitting of this Court.
It has also directed that a copy of this order be supplied to Amicus Curiae, HS Thangkhiew, government advocate, P Agarwal and counsel, K. Paul, who has been called upon to assist the Court in this matter as he has been representing the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council in various other cases.
Meghalaya High Court seeks case record of UTP who serves longest term
