CBI Takes Over Investigation Into 2015 'Fake Encounter' Killing Of Sengbath Marak In Meghalaya

The CBI has taken over the investigation into the killing of Sengbath Marak in a police encounter in Meghalaya in March 2015.

The special crime unit of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Delhi has taken over the probe into the alleged killing of Sengbath Marak in a police encounter in Meghalaya in March 2015, reported PTI citing officials. The central agency has now registered two cases related to the matter. Notably, it took over the case on the orders of the Meghalaya High Court. As per PTI, the high court in May this year had ordered a probe into the encounter case in which police allegedly killed Sengbath on March 4, 2015 in the village of Oragitok. The police had reached here after getting information about the presence of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) militants in a school.

Officials said that Marak's father had approached the high court claiming his son was killed in a fake encounter. Now, the CBI has taken over both the FIRs from the Meghalaya Police, one registered based on the state police's information and another based on the complaint of Marak's father that the encounter was fake, officials were quoted as saying by the PTI. 

According to a report by NagalandPost, the police had claimed that it shouted to militants after reaching the spot to surrender and lay down their arms, however, the suspected militants opened fire. The police in "self defence" retaliated during which one suspected militant, later identified as Sengbath Ch. Marak got shot and later died on the spot.

However, Marak's father claimed that his son was killed in a "fake" encounter and there are witnesses to stand testimony to that fact. The father, also the petitioner, Abal M Sangma claimed his deceased son was shot dead by one Mingran T Sangma and another police personnel in the presence of the Circle Inspector, West Garo Hills, Bitching N Marak, the NagalandPost report added.

In May this year, the Meghalaya High Court directed that the case be re-investigated by the CBI and the investigating agency would file a report submit before the court.

"The police authorities, particularly, the Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills District is hereby directed to hand over all relevant records and materials to the CBI to facilitate such investigation including the enquiry report," Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was quoted as saying by NagalandPost.