Meghalaya High Court Suspends Judgement In POCSO Case, Directs Trial Court To First Determine Juvenility Of Accused

The Meghalaya High Court recently suspended a judgment and sentence order passed by a Trial Court and directed it first to decide the issue of juvenility of the accused-appellant.The division bench comprising Justice W. Diengdoh and Justice B. Bhattacharjee observed:“Looking at the prayer of the appellant and the annexed certificates (supra), we are prima facie satisfied that the issue...

Meghalaya High Court Calls For State's Response In Plea Raising Objections To Operation Of Weighbridges Across State

The Meghalaya High Court recently asked the State Government to file a Counter Affidavit regarding the allegations made in a PIL raising various issues about operation of weighbridges across the State of Meghalaya. The division bench comprising the Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh further asked the State Government to take actions terms of the said allegations, if found by it...

Meghalaya High Court Calls For State's Report On Action Taken Under 2023 Street Vendors Scheme

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday (June 12) asked the State Government to show, by July 1, action taken by it under Meghalaya State Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Scheme, 2023.The division bench comprising the Chief Justice I. P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh was hearing a PIL involving identifying street vending areas, relocating areas permitted to...

High Court Directs Meghalaya Boxing Association To Hold Open Trials For All Future State Selections

The Meghalaya High Court recently directed the Meghalaya Boxing Association to hold open trials in any future events where selection trials are held to represent the State. The Acting Chief Justice H.S. Thanghiew was hearing a writ petition filed by an Army Boxer (petitioner) assailing the action of the Meghalaya Boxing Association (MBA) in not allowing the petitioner, who is a Boxer of...

Meghalaya High Court Grants Relief To Law Student Facing Attendance Shortage Due To Gall Bladder Ailment

The Meghalaya High Court recently granted relief to a third law student of Shillong Law College, NEHU by directing that the attendance of the said student be treated as regular and that he be assessed in the 5th semester examination in regular course. The law student (petitoner) was declared ineligible to take the exam because his attendance fell below the benchmark attendance requirement...

Meghalaya High Court Directs State To Form Committee Under Animal Birth Control Rules To Address Street Dogs' Menace

The Meghalaya High Court recently enlarged the scope of a PIL seeking directions for appropriate measures to control the menace caused by stray dogs in Shillong, to the State of Meghalaya. The division bench of the Chief Justice I. P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh further directed the State Government to take steps within four weeks to form a Committee in terms of rule 4 of Animal Birth...

'No Real Action' Taken On Plastic Ban: Meghalaya High Court Orders State To Prevent Clandestine Manufacture Of Single Use Plastic

Noting that no "real action" had been taken by the state government to ensure removal of plastic products from the market, the Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday (May 14) issued a slew of directions on preventing clandestine manufacture of plastic "which is less than 120 microns width". The Court was hearing a PIL regarding seeking a complete ban on single-use plastic (SUP) in the State...

Meghalaya High Court Enlarges Scope Of PIL Seeking To Ensure Adequate Cremation Facilities To Include Setting Up Of Cemeteries For Christians

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday (May 8) enlarged the scope of PIL concerning setting up of crematoria to cremate the indigenous Khasi, Jaintia and Hindu persons, to include the Christian community after taking judicial notice of information that various denominations of the Christian faith are facing difficulty in burying their dead.The division bench comprising the Chief Justice I....

Illegal Mining: Meghalaya High Court Seeks Status Report On Detection Of Excess Coal In East Jaintia Hills

The Meghalaya High Court recently asked the State Government to file a detailed status report on the different aspects of coal mining in the State, especially on the aspect of detection of excess coal in East Jaintia Hills by a drone survey and inspection company.The division bench of Justice H.S. Thangkhiew and Justice W. Diengdoh further directed the Specially Designated Courts to expedite...

Meghalaya High Court Directs Cabinet To Finalise Land Deal For Expansion Of Shillong Airport Within Three Weeks

The Meghalaya High Court recently directed the State Cabinet to take its decision within three weeks on the proposal to enable purchase of 11.7 acres of land from individual owners by private treaty for the development and expansion of the Shillong Airport.The division bench of the Chief Justice I. P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh further directed that if the said cabinet decision is in...

Meghalaya HC Closes Suo Motu PIL To Protect Wetlands In State After Noting None Of The Sites Fell Under Ramsar Convention

The Meghalaya High Court on April 29 (Tuesday) closed a PIL suo moto PIL to ensure that the Ramsar Convention wetland sites within the State are properly maintained and ensured, after accepting report by the Chief Conservator of Forests of the State Government which states that none of the wetlands in the State qualify as a Ramsar site.The said PIL was registered in pursuance of Supreme...

'Frivolous, Absolute Abuse Of Court Process': Meghalaya HC Dismisses Plea Challenging Vires Of Rajitlal University (Repealing) Act 2023

The Meghalaya High Court recently dismissed a writ petition challenging the Rajitlal University (Repealing) Act 2023 as ultra vires the Constitution, on the ground of being "frivolous".A division bench of the Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh in its order observed:“The petitioners have no right to question the legislature on what legislation it shall enact or shall not make...