The state government has assured the Meghalaya HC that the assets of tainted police official GK Iangrai will be frozen since the “extent of defalcation” has been pegged at over Rs 3 crore.

This assurance was linked with a PIL, heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Judge W Diengdoh on Wednesday.

According to the court, the Home Secretary filed the affidavit, indicating that appropriate measures have been taken so far, including the service of a charge sheet.

The advocate-general submitted that the delinquent (Iangrai) sought some documents and has been afforded time to file his written statement in response to the charge sheet. Besides, the state government has appointed an inquiry officer and 43 witnesses indicated in the charge sheet and the connected papers.

“The inquiry should be conducted at the earliest, and without affording undue latitude to either the department or to the delinquent,” the bench said.

“The State submitted that appropriate steps would be taken to ensure that the assets of the delinquent are frozen since the extent of defalcation has been, prima facie, pegged at over Rs 3 crore,” – it added.

The court further stated, “Since now it appears that the matter is being attended by the state government with the seriousness that it calls for, the contempt proceedings instituted against the Home Secretary are dropped. The rule is discharged, and the Home Secretary is excused.”

It hoped that the entire matter is monitored at the highest level to ensure that defalcated public funds are recovered, and the culprit or culprits are booked.

“Let the matter appear three weeks hence to ascertain the progress in both the departmental proceedings and in respect of the FIR that is said to have been lodged,” the bench observed. The matter has been scheduled for a hearing on November 25.