Gauhati High Court acquits all accused in Rs 1,000 crore North Cachar Hills scam

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Gauhati High Court on Thursday acquitted all persons accused in the ₹1,000-crore North Cachar Hills scam. The High Court stated that the impugned judgment dated May 22,2017 passed by the Special Judge, NIA in Special NIA case does not stand to scrutiny and is hereby quashed and set aside. The court stated, " we have already concluded that this document also does not provide any insight into the alleged terrorist activities of DHD(J)." In 2017 the special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court sentenced at least 13 persons in two cases.

Leader of erstwhile militant outfit Dima Halam Daogah (Jewel Garlosa faction) also known as the black widow, Jewel Garlosa was sentenced to life imprisonment. Similarly former chief executive member of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Mohit Hoja was given life imprisonment. DHD (J) leader Niranjan Hojai was also given life imprisonment.

The High Court acquitted Garlosa, Niranjan Hojai along with Mohit Hojai. Former Social Welfare Department's CDPO and in-charge Deputy Director, NC Hills, Md Redaul Hussain Khan has also been acquitted, however, he is currently out on bail after serving 12 years in jail. The Gauhati High Court also acquitted twelve others who were awarded eight to 13 years of imprisonment in the multi-crore scam.

Chief Justice Mitali Thakuria stated, «We have discussed in extenso that no witness, who could give direct evidence regarding the alleged terrorist activities of DHD(J), was examined during trial. The major part of his examination-in-chief is relating to the activities of DHD and not DHD(J), which was allegedly a militant organisation led by Jewel Garlosa, operating in Karbi Anglong and N.C. Hills.» The court observed, «we have already concluded