The Meghalaya High Court has quashed an FIR registered against six students from Uttar Pradesh who were accused of vandalising a homestay property in Shillong. The ruling was delivered after the property owner and manager reached a mutual settlement with the accused and formally gave their consent to close the legal proceedings. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere passed the order on Monday, observing that there was no impediment to quashing the criminal case given the amicable settlement and the need to safeguard the academic futures and careers of the young individuals involved.
Financial Settlement and Formal Apology
As part of the settlement agreement, the six students collectively paid a base amount of Rs 2.06 lakh to the homestay proprietor as full and final compensation for the physical damage caused to the premises. Along with the financial payment, the youths submitted a sincere and unconditional written apology acknowledging their improper conduct. Furthermore, the court directed two of the adult students to pay an additional sum of Rs 25,000 each directly to the proprietor within one week, bringing the total compensation package to Rs 2.56 lakh.
Incident History and Arrest in West Bengal
The origin of the case dates back to July 11, when an official complaint was lodged at the Laitumkhrah Police Station in Shillong. According to the complaint, an argument broke out when the homestay management refused permission to allow extra guests to stay in a room beyond its designated seating and sleeping capacity. The confrontation escalated into verbal threats and physical damage to the property. Following the registration of the FIR, police tracked down and arrested the six students in West Bengal on July 13. They were subsequently granted bail by a local court, after which they approached the High Court seeking the quashing of the charges. Elders and well-wishers from both sides subsequently facilitated mediation, leading to a formal compromise deed signed on August 17.
Demographics and Judicial Considerations
The High Court took detailed note of the age profile and educational backgrounds of the accused before granting relief. Out of the six students, three are legal minors, including one aged 15 and two aged 17. A fourth student had recently turned 18, while the remaining two individuals are in their early twenties and actively preparing for competitive entrance examinations. Justice Dere emphasized that prolonging criminal prosecution against young students who have made full restitution and expressed remorse would unnecessarily compromise their career prospects.
Community Service Mandate and Compliance Schedule
While quashing the charges, the court imposed a compulsory community service requirement on the two adult students in addition to their monetary fines. The two youths must complete six days of community work in Shillong. For the first three days, starting September 8, they are required to serve at the Sikh Centre Sri Guru Singh Sabha located in Lachumiere, Shillong, working daily from 10 am to 5 pm under the direct supervision of Dr Kamaljeet Singh.
Additionally, they must participate in civic improvement drives organized by Jiva Cares under 'Project Operation Clean-Up'. This initiative involves public sanitation tasks, environmental upkeep along the Umkhrah river, and maintaining roadside flower displays and waste bins across Shillong. The four younger students were exempted from community service due to their minor status. The High Court has mandated that a verification report confirming the satisfactory completion of the service be submitted through the public prosecutor, scheduling the matter for September 15 to review full compliance.
