UP students Shillong became the focus of a community service exercise on Friday after two of the six Uttar Pradesh students involved in a homestay vandalism case joined a city cleanliness drive. The activity was part of a six-day community service order issued by the Meghalaya High Court after the students reached a settlement with the homestay proprietor.
UP students Shillong complete court-ordered service
The two students took part in cleanliness activities in Shillong city centre on September 11 as part of the final phase of their court-directed community service. They joined Jiva Cares’ Project Operation Clean-Up, which carries out civic initiatives across the city, including maintaining flower plants and waste bins.
The community service followed a court order that addressed the legal proceedings arising from the homestay incident. The Meghalaya High Court had directed the two students to complete six days of service after considering the settlement reached between the parties.
The students completed the first three days at the Sikh Centre Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Lachumiere, beginning September 8. The remaining three days were linked to cleanliness and public-service activities in Shillong.
Settlement follows Shillong homestay vandalism
The case began after an FIR was registered at Laitumkhrah Police Station on July 11 following a complaint alleging damage to a homestay. The students were also accused of threatening the complainant after additional guests were not permitted to stay in a room beyond its allowed capacity. Police subsequently arrested the six students in West Bengal on July 13, and they were later released on bail.
According to officials, three of the accused were minors, including one aged 15 and two aged 17. Another student had recently turned 18, while the remaining two were in their 20s and preparing for competitive examinations.
The incident attracted attention after visuals showing damage inside the recently opened property circulated on social media. Reports also said the students had allegedly smoked, consumed alcohol and brought outside visitors, although these allegations formed part of the complaint and should not be treated as established findings against the accused.
Meghalaya High Court quashes FIR
The legal dispute moved towards settlement after intervention by elders and well-wishers of the students. The parties reached a mutual settlement on August 17, according to details recorded by the court.
Under the settlement, the six 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 conduct. The proprietor and manager subsequently gave their no-objection to quashing the FIR.
Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere passed the order quashing the FIR after considering the settlement and the future and welfare of the students. However, the court imposed additional obligations on two of them.
Each of the two students was directed to pay another Rs 25,000 to the homestay proprietor within a week. They were also ordered to undertake six days of community service.
Cleanliness drive highlights restorative approach
The Shillong cleanliness drive has given the case a public-service dimension beyond financial compensation. Rather than limiting the settlement to restitution, the court’s directions required the students to contribute time to community work.
Project Operation Clean-Up works on several civic cleanliness initiatives in Shillong, including the upkeep of public spaces, flower plants and waste bins. The students’ participation therefore formed part of an organised effort aimed at improving the city’s public environment.
The Meghalaya High Court has also directed that a report confirming whether the community service was satisfactorily completed be submitted through the public prosecutor. The matter is scheduled to come up on September 15 for recording compliance with the court’s directions.
The case has also renewed attention on responsible behaviour by visitors and the importance of respecting accommodation rules while travelling. For Meghalaya’s tourism sector, where homestays play an important role in accommodating visitors, disputes involving tourists can have wider implications for trust between guests, property owners and local communities.
The participation of the students in Shillong’s cleanliness activities marks the latest step in a case that moved from an alleged property dispute and criminal complaint to compensation, apology and community service. With the court scheduled to review compliance on September 15, the focus now remains on completion of the obligations imposed as part of the settlement.