Shillong, May 20: The District and Sessions Court, West Jaintia Hills has convicted former Sub-Inspector Glithstone Ch Marak in a 29-year-old custodial death case and sentenced him to two years of rigorous imprisonment.
District and Sessions Judge NA Khan delivered the verdict on Wednesday, holding Marak guilty in connection with the death of Emsalon Tariang at Raliang Out Post in November 1997.
According to a statement issued by West Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police, the incident dates back to November 16, 1997.
“On November 16, 1997, at approximately 1:00 AM, SI GC Marak (then in-charge of the Raliang Out Post) and his staff arrested Shri Emsalon Tariang from his residence without any stated reason.”
“The victim’s mother alleged that the police personnel were intoxicated and severely beat and threatened her son inside the Out Post. Despite her continuous pleas, they refused to release him. Tragically, the following morning at around 7:00 AM, the mother discovered her son lying dead and naked inside the police outpost,” the statement said.
The case was registered as Jowai PS Case No. 104(11)97 under Sections 302/34 IPC and was investigated and charge-sheeted by then Officer In-Charge of Jowai Police Station, Inspector Nila Kalita.
“Upon the completion of the 29-year trial, the Hon’ble Court found the accused guilty,” the statement said.
While sentencing, the Court considered several mitigating factors. “Keeping in mind the circumstances and mitigating factors — including the convict’s current age of 64 years, his dismissal from service, and having no criminal antecedents — the Court deemed it fit to sentence Shri Glithstone Ch. Marak to 2 years of Rigorous Imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 2,000,” the SP added.
