CBI submits report on MPS recruitment

SHILLONG, OCT 6: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday submitted to the Meghalaya High Court a ‘sealed envelope’ containing the report relating to the alleged manipulation in the recruitment of MPS officers.

The CBI probe was ordered following a petition filed by one of the candidates, Millon Ch, Momin into the alleged manipulation in the recruitment to fill up 34 posts of Meghalaya Police Service Officer under Home (Police) department

During the hearing on Thursday, the counsel for the CBI showed a sealed envelope said to be containing the report prepared by the CBI on the basis of material available with it.

The Court enquired as to whether the report contains the opinion from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on the image taken from the hard disc of the computer.

However, the counsel for the CBI read out the communication dated October 5, from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory that said “looking at the volume of data to be scrutinized, the process would take about 45 days’ time”.

On the other hand, the Court said it appears from the submissions that the said FSL was apprised of the orders passed by the Supreme Court as also by this Court only by way of communication sent on October 4.

It also stated that it had already taken note of the order of the Supreme Court dated September 20, expecting this appeal to be disposed of within a period of four weeks from the date of communication of the order.

In an order issued here, the High Court said, “On September 28, when the order so passed by the Supreme Court was placed before us, we had indicated the requirement of earliest disposal of this appeal.”

“Any laxity/delay on the part of anybody/agency could only prima facie be taken to be standing at conflict with the orders passed by the Supreme Court and this Court,” it added.

Refraining to make any other comment in the matter, the High Court however said, “But would prefer giving some more time to the agencies concerned, while reiterating that this appeal is expected to be decided in any case, within four weeks from September 28.”

It has also directed that the next hearing on the matter be listed on October 24.

Meanwhile, the Court also permitted the counsel for the CBI to file the sealed envelope before the Registrar General who shall keep the same in a safe custody and produce the same before the Court on the next day of the hearing.-By Our Reporter