The Meghalaya High Court has quashed a criminal case against six students from Uttar Pradesh accused of damaging a Shillong homestay, closing proceedings after the youths compensated the owner and reached an amicable compromise, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere issued the order on Monday after the homestay’s proprietor and manager formally consented to dropping the complaint. The bench noted that no impediment remained to setting aside the First Information Report, taking into account the mutual agreement as well as the future and welfare of the young petitioners.
Financial Restitution And Additional Penalties
Under the terms of the settlement, the students paid ₹2.06 lakh as full and final compensation for the damage caused to the property and submitted a sincere, unconditional apology for their conduct.
While terminating the criminal proceedings, the court directed two of the students—both in their twenties and preparing for competitive examinations—to pay an additional ₹25,000 each to the proprietor within one week.
Mandatory Community Service In Shillong
Justice Dere also ordered the two older students to perform six days of community service in the city. According to officials, the pair must spend three days beginning September 8 at the Sikh Centre Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Lachumiere, working from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. under the supervision of Dr. Kamaljeet Singh.
For the remaining period, they are assigned to Jiva Cares’ Project Operation Clean-Up. Their duties will include maintaining public flower installations and dustbins throughout Shillong, alongside participating in sanitation drives along the Umkhrah River.
The court instructed the concerned public prosecutor to submit a formal report confirming whether the community service was completed satisfactorily. The remaining four petitioners—comprising three minors aged 15 and 17, and one who recently turned 18—were exempted from community service in view of their age. The high court has scheduled the matter for September 15 to record compliance.
Origins Of The Dispute
The legal confrontation began on July 11, when an FIR was registered at Laitumkhrah Police Station following a dispute over accommodation capacity. The students were accused of causing property damage and issuing threats to the complainant after management refused to permit additional guests into a room beyond the authorized limit.
All six accused were taken into custody on July 13 in West Bengal before securing bail. Following subsequent discussions facilitated by family elders and well-wishers, the students and the homestay operators signed a mutual compromise on August 17, clearing the way for the quashing petition before the high court.
