Shillong: The family of the Mizo youth accused of rape and sexual exploitation in a case being investigated by the East Khasi Hills Police has claimed it has not received any communication from the police regarding the FIR and has expressed its willingness to cooperate with investigators if formally summoned.
The statement comes even as East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem earlier confirmed to EastMojo that the accused is “absconding” and that the police are searching for him. Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) Chairperson Agatha Sangma had also said the accused had fled to Mizoram and that a police team was being sent to bring him back.
However, in a telephonic conversation with EastMojo, the father said the family was not in a position to comment on the allegations and had not been informed about any criminal case against his son.
“From our end, we cannot make any statement right now. Whatever information you need, you can collect it from the court or from the police station handling the case. I’m sorry that I cannot tell you anything at this time,” he said.
When informed that the police had described his son as absconding after leaving Shillong, the father questioned the description.
“What do you mean by absconding?” he asked.
After the reporter clarified that the police alleged his son had fled Shillong, the father replied, “There were no charges against him, and he must have left for his safety.”
Asked whether the family intended to return to Shillong to respond to the allegations, the father said they would cooperate if officially contacted by the authorities.
“If the police call us back, then there is nothing I can do. We will come back and talk to the police as per their instruction. Until now, there is no such thing,” he said.
When told that police had stated an FIR had already been registered against his son, the father said the family was unaware of it.
“I don’t know about that. We don’t know anything about that. Maybe they will talk to the lawyer. Whatever it is, you can ask the police. From our side, we don’t have any statement to make,” he said.
Asked whether his son denied the allegations circulating on social media, the father declined to answer directly.
“I haven’t talked to him that much. I’m not in a position to talk to him. I think he may speak with the lawyer,” he said.
The father’s statements differ from the version provided by the police. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem has maintained that an FIR has been registered and that the accused is absconding. MSCPCR Chairperson Agatha Sangma has also said the commission is assisting the investigation and that the police are making efforts to bring the accused back from Mizoram.
The police have not publicly disclosed further details of the FIR or the specific offences invoked. The investigation is ongoing.
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