Chargesheet delayed, Karbi rebel granted bail

GUWAHATI: The Gauhati high court granted bail to Karbi militant Mimon Phonglo alias Gajaw Diamsa on Wednesday after Assam Police failed to file a chargesheet against the ultra within 90 days.
The militant, who was arrested by Khatkhati police in Karbi Anglong about three months ago, moved court taking advantage of the state police’s delayed investigation in the case. However, police informed the court that it could not file the chargesheet because they have not yet received the forensic reports from the lab.
“Police said it has found a mobile phone from Phonglo which is undergoing forensic tests. But the forensic department is yet to give its report on retrieving data from the phone. The court has no option but to grant bail to Phonglo due to
the lack of a chargesheet,” said high court public prosecutor Z Kamar. The court ordered Phonglo to appear before the police station once every 10 days. It also directed the state police to file its reply regarding the delay in filing the chargesheet.
“The court also asked the forensic official to appear in person on the next date of hearing on 24 September. It is sad that police have failed to file chargesheets in several cases. Until the law and order wing is segregated from the one investigating the crime, the problem will remain,” added Kamar.
Until June this year, the state forensic laboratory had at least 1,251 pending cases. The toxicology unit has 473 pending cases, the narcotics department (33), the ballistic unit (232), the question document unit (235), the digital unit (156) and the DNA typing unit (27) cases. “The forensic laboratory is handicapped in terms of manpower as well as technology. ” said Kamar.