PAJSC questions inefficient investigation process 

Jack Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Nov 10: In a significant development, the Supreme Court has granted bail to Taket Jerang, the alleged kingpin in a high-profile case CBI Case No.RC0172022A0009 of 2022, (Original FIR No.229 of 2022) related to APPSC  cash for Job scam.
The decision follows a hearing of a Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 11244/2023 where Arvind Minocha, learned senior counsel for the petitioner, and Vikramjit Banjerjee, learned Additional Solicitor General representing the respondent/State, presented their arguments in the Supreme Court today.
The court noted that 7 out of 10 accused persons in the case have already been released on bail. It also observed that the accused (Taket Jerang) is a kingpin and is also involved in 92 other cases wherein the allegations are similar. However, the court said that the apprehension of the prosecution regarding tampering with the evidence and influencing the witnesses can be taken care of by imposing stringent condition(s).
The court further noted that the accused has been incarcerated for a period of more than one year and the charges have not yet been framed. It said that in view of these circumstances, it is inclined to grant bail to the accused.
The court also disposed of the special leave petition and any pending applications.
However, the Court also put some conditions of bail including the execution of personal bonds amounting to Rs.50,000/-, with one or more sureties in the like amount. Additionally, the petitioner must report to the Investigating Officer every Monday at 11:00 a.m., refrain from attempting to influence witnesses and tamper with evidence, and comply with any other conditions imposed by the Trial Court.
When contacted, Pan Arunachal Joint Steering Committee (PAJSC) -Vice Chairperson Tadak Nalo stated "Till the details of the bail are made public, we do not intend to make any premature statement. However, taking into account the seriousness of the ongoing scam and the role of the kingpin Taket Jerang in the entire episode of the racket equivalent to cold-blooded genocide, killing thousands and thousands of dreams, hopes and aspirations for decades, the matter simply cannot be overlooked."
He termed the kingpin getting bail in such a serious crime as a testimony of the alarming ongoing investigation process.  "Ideally, apart from Taket Jerang, many more people from the system should have been nabbed and arrested, however, instead of new arrests, the already arrested accused are getting bail after bail. This is a really alarming signal," Nalo said adding the investigation agencies are answerable for their ineffective and inefficient investigation process.
"Taket Jerang being the prime accused, was already awarded the retirement package on his arrest, and is believed to have taken many names and many more are yet to be revealed. He is a prominent part of the existing corrupt ecosystem, hence, his release from jail is alarming, for potentially tampering the unearthed evidence and his life could also be at certain risk, as there is a complete set of hierarchy at the backdrop, as it is clear that he couldn't have pulled off such a massive scam for so long without the participation of others in the system, especially the higher-ups. Therefore, this new development of awarding bail to the prime accused Taket Jerang is a huge blow to the whole of the state," Nalo said.
The inefficiency of the investigation agency and the state government is slowly coming to the forefront now. The team PAJSC is disappointed with this new development and will make our official statement in the coming times. We now demand the immediate termination of Taket Jerang after revoking his forced retirement through proper departmental procedures. After this shocker, his reinstatement to his former position due to procedural lapses will not be acceptable to the whole of the state. We expect proactive measures from the state government and the investigation agencies, added Nalo.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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