SHILLONG, MAY 27: West Garo Hills Superintendent of Police Abraham T Sangma on Wednesday said only a single case has been registered against former Phulbari MLA SG Esmatur Mominin over the March 9 Chibinang incident, and a subsequent complaint by BJP Tura MDC Bernard N Marak is being treated as supplementary to the existing case.
In a statement, Sangma said the clarification was necessary “in order to avoid any misunderstanding or confusion regarding the registration of multiple FIRs in respect of the same incident and to keep all concerned and the general public properly informed.”
According to the SP, a joint FIR was filed on March 18, 2026, by leaders of the GSU Chibinang and Phulbari Regional Units. “On 18th March 2026 a joint FIR was lodged by the Joint Secretary, GSU Chibinang, Regional Unit and General Secretary, GSU Phulbari, Regional Unit, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya against Shri S.G. Esmatur Mominin, former MLA of 46-Phulbari Constituency, in connection with alleged criminal offences that occurred at Chibinang on 9th March 2026,” Sangma stated.
The FIR included allegations regarding vandalization of the GSU Office and the statue at Chibinang Bazar, he said.
Based on the FIR, Phulbari Police registered a case.
“A case vide Phulbari PS Case No. 12/2026 under Sections 189(2)/191(1)/192/196(C)/57/353(2)/298/324(4)(5) of the BNS, 2023, R/w Sections 6/6A/8/8A of the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act, has been duly registered,” the SP said.
“Accordingly, the accused persons have been arrested and investigation into the matter is presently underway.”
Addressing the complaint from MDC Bernard N Marak, Sangma said, “On 14th April 2026, a complaint letter pertaining to the same incident and context was received at this office from Bernard N Marak, MDC, Tura. On 16th April 2026, the said complaint letter was duly forwarded to the Officer In-Charge, Phulbari Police Station for necessary action.”
He explained that no separate FIR was registered. “Since both the FIR and the complaint relate to the same occurrence and set of facts, the complaint letter submitted by Shri Bernard N. Marak has been treated as supplementary in connection with the already registered Phulbari PS Case No. 12/2026.”
Citing the Supreme Court, the SP added, “As per the settled position of law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in T.T. Antony vs State of Kerala & Others (2001) 6 SCC 181, multiple FIRs and multiple criminal cases cannot ordinarily be registered in respect of the same incident or occurrence.”
“Any subsequent information relating to the same transaction is required to form part of the investigation in the original case already registered,” he said.
Sangma confirmed that “all further enquiry and investigation in connection with the said incident are being carried out under the existing registered case in accordance with the provisions of law and established legal procedures.”
“Necessary legal action against the persons found involved is being taken on the basis of evidence collected during the course of investigation,” the SP concluded.
