DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 22: Despite making it clear previously that there will be no more adjournments of the case, the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court on Tuesday had to defer once again the ongoing hearing on a plea by IAS officer Reny Wilfred for transfer of his trial from the POCSO Court of Tuensang.
At the last hearing held on November 10, the Court had warned Reny that it would consider vacating the interim order by which it had suspended POCSO trial at Tuensang if he does not appear to prosecute the case next time.
On Tuesday, when the hearing resumed, the Court was informed that K Angami, the Public Prosecutor, was indisposed as he had met with a vehicular accident.
“Since the matter involves urgency it is expected that all the parties shall make an endeavour to dispose the case on the next date fixed. List it on December 8, 2022. Interim order passed earlier shall continue till the next returnable date”, stated an order issued by Justice Kakheto Sema.
Wilfred is facing charges of sexual misconduct during his stint as Deputy Commissioner of Noklak. A formal complaint charging him with sexual misconduct on two minor girls at Noklak was filed on July 27, 2021 at Noklak Police Station.
On June 16 this year, he approached the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court seeking the transfer of his trial from the POCSO Court at Tuensang “to the nearest Court” citing apprehension that he will never get a free and fair trial in the Tuensang Court.
That day, his Counsel submitted that Wilfred has been facing a serious threat to his life and personal liberty. He also submitted that there was apprehension that his client will never get a free and fair trial in the POCSO Court at Tuensang due to a social media campaign against him.
Considering the submission of the Counsel of both sides, the Court had then stayed the further proceeding of the case pending before the POCSO Court, Tuensang.
On October 27, following the completion of pleadings (submission of written presentation), the Court called for admission hearing of the petition.
(Page News Service)
