SHILLONG: The Meghalaya high court has quashed an FIR against six students from Uttar Pradesh accused of vandalising a homestay here after they paid Rs 2.06 lakh as compensation.Reportedly, officials said on Tuesday that two of the students were directed to pay an additional Rs 25,000 each and perform six days of community service.Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere passed the order on Monday after the parties reached a mutual settlement, news agency PTI reported.The homestay manager and proprietor gave their no-objection to the quashing of the FIR, officials said.The FIR was registered at Laitumkhrah Police Station on July 11 following a complaint alleging that the homestay had been vandalised and that they left without paying.Police had also said the students smoked, consumed alcohol and brought outside visitors, allegedly violating house rules.A video showing the damaged rooms and bathroom of the recently opened property had subsequently surfaced on social media.The students were also accused of threatening the complainant after additional guests were not allowed to stay in a room beyond the permitted number, PTI reported.The accused subsequently approached the high court seeking quashing of the FIR.Three of them are minors, one aged 15 and two aged 17, while another had just turned 18.The remaining two students are in their 20s and preparing for competitive examinations, officials said.All six accused were arrested in West Bengal on July 13 following the incident and were subsequently released on bail.The parties entered into a mutual settlement on August 17 after elders and well-wishers of the students intervened, the court noted.Under the settlement, the students paid Rs 2.06 lakh to the homestay proprietor as full and final compensation.They also tendered a sincere and unconditional apology for their behaviour and actions, PTI reported.Justice Dere said there was no impediment to quashing the FIR, taking into consideration the future and welfare of the students as well as the settlement reached between the parties.“The two students will spend three days from September 8 at the Sikh Centre Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Lachumiere in Shillong from 10 am to 5 pm, under the supervision of Dr Kamaljeet Singh,” an official said.They will also spend time with Jiva Cares’ ‘Project Operation Clean-Up’, which undertakes cleanliness activities, including work related to the Umkhrah river, besides maintaining flowers and bins across the city, PTI reported.The court directed that a report on whether the community service was satisfactorily completed be submitted through the public prosecutor concerned.The other four petitioners were not assigned community service, considering their ages, another official said.The matter has been listed for September 15 for recording compliance, the officials added.(With agency inputs)
