Meghalaya High Court
Date Of Decision: 20.04.2026 vs State Of Meghalaya Represented By on 20 April, 2026
Author: W. Diengdoh
Bench: W. Diengdoh
2026:MLHC:361
Serial No. 06
Regular List
HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA
AT SHILLONG
AB. No. 9 of 2026
Date of Decision: 20.04.2026
Shri. Glossterwel Patwad alias Closterwell,
S/o (L) Onil Suchen,
Resident of Lakadong Ummat,
Ladrymbai,
East Jaintia Hills District,
Meghalaya-793160.
........ Petitioner
- Vs-
1. State of Meghalaya represented by
Secretary, Home Police Department,
Government of Meghalaya.
2. The Officer-in-Charge,
Ladrymbai Police Outpost.
3. The Officer-in-Charge,
Khliehriat Police Station.
......... Respondents
Coram:
Hon'ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge
Appearance:
For the Petitioner/Appellant(s) : Mr. J. Shylla, Adv. with
Mr. M.L. Nongpiur, Adv.
For the Respondent(s) : Mr. S. Sengupta, Addl. PP with
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Ms. S. Kh. Nongrum, GA.
i) Whether approved for reporting in Yes/No
Law journals etc.:
ii) Whether approved for publication
in press: Yes/No
JUDGMENT AND ORDER (ORAL)
1. This is an application under Section 482 of the BNSS, 2023 filed by
the petitioner for grant of anticipatory bail.
2. The brief facts of the case leading to the filing of this instant
application is that, there is a long-standing land dispute between two villages i.e.
Lama Village and Lakadong Ummat Village in the East Jaintia Hills District.
3. In view of the proposed acquisition of part of the land in dispute, an
inquiry was conducted by the authorities concerned, wherein, on 03.03.2026,
parties from both groups, had gathered at the place of inspection, however, in
the ensuing inquiry process, an altercation took place between the two groups as
a result of which, it has been alleged that some gunshots were fired injuring some
of those who are present at the said place of inspection. In this connection, an
FIR was lodged by the Waheh Shnong and the Secretary of Lama Village
respectively, the same being registered as Khliehriat P.S. Case No. 104 of 2026
under Section 109/118(2)/191(3)/61(2)/132/3(5) BNS read with Section 27 of
the Arms Act.
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4. In course of investigation, as has been indicated in the FIR, the
petitioner herein has been named as one of the accused persons involved in the
said incident. To this extent, the petitioner had filed an application for grant of
anticipatory bail before the Court of the learned Sessions Judge, East Jaintia
Hills District, Khliehriat which was rejected. Thereafter, he has now approached
this Court with this application.
5. This Court upon hearing the parties, had vide order dated
15.04.2026, granted interim bail to the petitioner, inter alia, on conditions that
he shall not abscond and shall cooperate with the investigation as and when
required. The status report as well as the case diary was also called for by this
Court.
6. Today, Mr. S. Sengupta, learned Addl. PP assisted by Ms. S. Kh.
Nongrum, learned GA on behalf of the State respondent, has submitted that the
status report as well as the case diary is produced before this Court.
7. It is also the submission of the learned Addl. PP that, though, the
petitioner has cooperated with the investigation and had appeared before the
Investigating Officer, however, the process of interrogation is not yet complete.
There is however no submission made by the learned Addl. PP as far as the
prayer of the petitioner herein is concerned.
8. This Court, on consideration of the submission made, and in view of
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the conduct of the petitioner, is accordingly inclined to allow the prayer made
herein.
9. In the event of his arrest, the petitioner is directed to be released on
bail on the following conditions:
i) That he shall not abscond or tamper with the evidence or
witnesses;
ii) That he shall cooperate with the Investigating Officer;
iii) That he shall not leave the jurisdiction of Meghalaya, except
with due permission of the Investigating Officer; and
iv) That he shall bind himself on a personal bond of ₹ 20,000/-
(Rupees twenty thousand) with one surety of like amount to
the satisfaction of the Trial Court.
10. The interim bail granted is hereby made absolute.
11. In view of the above, this application is disposed of accordingly. No
Costs.
Judge
Signature Not Verified 4
Digitally signed by
DARIKORDOR NARY
Date: 2026.04.20 17:18:57 IST