Shillong, Jan. 12: Independent MLA Julius Dorphang was today sent to 14 days' judicial custody by a court here in connection with his alleged involvement in the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Dorphang, the former militant-turned-MLA who represents Mawhati Assembly constituency in Ri-Bhoi district, was produced in a lower court here in the afternoon. "The court has remanded the MLA to 14 days' judicial custody from today," the superintendent of police (city), Vivek Syiem said.
The MLA, who wore a cap, covered his neck and face with a black-and-white shawl while being brought to the court amid tight security. On his way out of the court to a transit lock-up, Dorphang, flanked by security personnel, evaded queries from reporters, saying, "I will speak when the time comes."
After interrogating him for five days since January 7, city police did not appeal to the court for an extended custody. He is being lodged in a high security ward of the Shillong district jail.
A senior police official, however, said if required, police would again seek permission from the court to interrogate Dorphang. The police said the MLA had admitted to being involved in the crime. Dorphang was arrested from Guwahati last week after evading arrest for many days. He had absconded after being alleged of involving in sexually exploiting the 14-year-old girl. He will also be interrogated by police from Ri-Bhoi district.
A case was registered against Dorphang at Umiam police station, as he allegedly sexually exploited the minor at Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam, Ri-Bhoi district. The resort is run by the Meghalaya tourism department.
Today, a court in Nongpoh issued a production warrant permitting police to bring Dorphang there from Shillong. "We have got the production warrant today. We will first produce the warrant before a court in Shillong tomorrow. After getting Dorphang, we will produce him in a court at Nongpoh and decide on the number of days required to put him in police custody for interrogation," Ri-Bhoi district superintendent of police, G.D. Kharwanlang, told The Telegraph over phone from Nongpoh.
The police also arrested two more persons for alleged involvement in sexually exploiting the minor, taking the total number of arrests to 11. Police arrested Nirdesh Jain alias Appu, aged 34, from Paltan Bazar, Guwahati last night. Jain works as a manager in a petrol pump at Khliehriat in East Jaintia hills district.
Police said Jain has been evading arrest and fled from Khliehriat to Guwahati as he was wanted in connection with Madanrting police station case No. 77(12)16 under section 3(A)/4 Pocso Act.
"The absconder (Jain) was hiding at Kumarpara, Guwahati. On receiving the information, a special operation team was dispatched to Guwahati. The police team laid a trap and apprehended him from Paltan Bazar, Guwahati, on Wednesday night," a police statement said. Jain was forwarded to the court and five days' police remand has been sought.
Besides Jain, the police have also arrested Elbert Shemphang Kharlukhi, a surrendered militant from the HNLC. Kharlukhi is also an aide of Dorphang and was charged with abetment of crime.
"The special cell police team apprehended Kharlukhi alias Kesop from IGP point here and he was wanted with Laitumkhrah police station case No. 239(12)2016 under Section 366(A) IPC read with section 3(a)/4/5(c)/6 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and section 5 Immoral Trafficking Prevention (ITP) Act," the police statement added.
The police had earlier arrested Mamoni Parveen, who allegedly used the minor girl for prostitution. Police said while Jain used to assault the minor at Mamoni's house, Kharlukhi used to make arrangements for Dorphang at Lumsohphoh guesthouse.
