Attempt to murder Charges dropped against driver

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Feb 17: Meghalaya police today informed that it has dropped the attempt to murder charges against a cabbie who had hit the vehicle of the Chief Minister last week.

Facing criticisms from various quarters for booking Jaskalur L. Mawdoh (25) of Mariay, West Khasi Hills, Nongstoin under section 307 of the IPC the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Mariahom Kharkrang today clarified that whatever was done was as per the provision of law.

Kharkrang informed the media that the circumstances whereby a static vehicle, driven in the same direction hit a Z plus category protectee causing a serious breach appeared prime facie dangerous and suspicious. “Hence a case under section 307 IPC was registered,” Kharkrang told the media today evening.

The East Khasi Hills SP informed that the scope of investigation was to ascertain whether there was any malafide intention to cause harm to the Chief Minister who is already placed in the highest security threat and to ascertain the conspiracy behind it.

“A thorough investigation warranted custody of the alleged accused to ascertain all facts of the incident and any delay in investigation will result in loss of crucial evidence,” Kharkrang informed.

“Later the investigation conclusively ascertained that the driver commuting from Shillong to Nongkhlaw through sheer negligence and rash driving dashed against the Chief Minister’s vehicle. As such 307 IPC has been dropped however Charge sheet has been filed against him under section 279/336/427 IPC today,” the SP added.

It may be mentioned that on February 11 afternoon while the Chief Minister, was on his way to the Helipad, on reaching 3rd Mile, Upper Shillong, one Mahindra Maxi Cab ML 04-A-3374 moving in the same direction was stopped by the traffic constable on duty to allow the Carcade to move by.

The vehicle in question was also waved down by the Pilot car of the Chief Minister’s convoy by which time it had stopped.

However as soon as the Chief Minister’s vehicle passed by it, the above vehicle veered to the right and immediately made an unexpected dash against the Chief Minister’s vehicle from the side he was seated.