In a case that reeks of corruption and favouritism, an enforcement inspector (EI) of Meghalaya Transport department, who was arrested and jailed for close to a month in Assam, allegedly resumed his services immediately after he was released on bail.
The EI, identified as Richchi G Momin, is working under the Ribhoi district transport, was jailed along with three others by Assam Police in Jorabat after he along with others in the same car assaulted cops after a drunken night.
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They were allegedly returning to Guwahati after a party at the house of a minister in the NPP-led government.
The case saw the four men being arrested and locked up for close to a month in Assam before their release earlier last month.
However surprisingly, the same officer was allowed to resume work immediately after his release, while on bail, when he should have remained suspended till the courts decided the case.
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The four arrested in the case were booked under 120 (B)/ 325/ 253/ 420 of the IPC.
Earlier instances of government officials arrested have not only been suspended with some even losing their jobs, but for reasons unknown, Momin was not even questioned on his absence from the office while he was in jail.
When contacted on the matter, the DTO of Ri Bhoi confirmed that the officer had indeed joined work but had still not submitted his documents of rejoining.
When questioned on how he was allowed to join back despite his arrest, the DTO said the matter could be explained by the commissioner of transport.
Meanwhile, sources from the Transport department stated that there were now attempts by authorities and the officer to show his jail time as earned leave.
“This is highly illegal and shows the extent that rules are broken in the state of Meghalaya. Can he just break the law with no after effect? The transport department minister and the department should explain as to how such an officer has been allowed to restart work after jail time when his case is pending in a Court,” said UDP youth wing president, Anand Marak on the issue.
Marak further lambasted the department for showing favouritism to the officer.
“Since when has the department begun to save officers this way? Who authorized him to rejoin when the service rules clearly state otherwise,” added Marak.
When contacted, the officer in question maintained that he has not joined duty and the allegations were only to malign him.
He added that he was hoping that the case, in which he was not even involved in assaulting anyone, would be dismissed soon and he would be exonerated.