Itanagar, Feb 1: The sessions court in Yupia has formally framed charges against Chumi Taya, one of the prime accused in the murder of Techi Meena and her unborn child, nearly four years after the crime took place on November 5, 2020.
Taya has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 302 (punishment for murder), Section 316 (causing the death of an unborn child), Section 201 (destruction of evidence), and Section 34 (common intention).
With the charges framed, the trial against Taya is set to commence soon. Her case will be heard alongside that of Lishi Roni, the husband of the deceased and her alleged lover, who is accused of orchestrating the murder by hiring contract killers.
The decision to frame charges comes after two previous dismissals by the session court—first in December 2020 and again in January 2023—due to insufficient evidence.
However, the victim’s family challenged the rulings in the Gauhati High Court, which directed Taya to appear before the session court on December 18, 2024.
Taya subsequently moved the Supreme Court on January 7, 2025, seeking relief, but the apex court upheld the high court’s order, allowing the case to proceed.
Advocate Nabam John, legal counsel for the victim’s family, said more than 40 witnesses have been listed for the prosecution, with nine already examined.
The process of recording statements will continue in the coming months, and the trial is expected to extend over three to four years before a final verdict is reached.
If convicted, Taya could face life imprisonment or a jail term of up to 20 years, though the final decision rests with the court, John said.
He also added that the charges are filed under IPC and not BNS it being an old case.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 15.