Govt asked to submit affidavit

SHILLONG, MAY 24:  The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to submit an affidavit of “responsible officers” in the alleged education job scam.

In its order on Wednesday, the Division Bench said, “We also permit the state government represented by Advocate General Dr BP Todi to submit an affidavit of responsible officer.”

This was as regards the queries, which have cropped up and as regards any other clarifications, if sought to be given with reference to the submissions of the parties to this litigation, the bench added.

The hearing, which was conducted by the Court for past two days, will still continue till tomorrow.

Earlier during the course of hearing, counsel S Dey has drawn attention of the Court towards the order dated 25.03.2014 as passed in WP(C) No. 88 of 2014 wherein the Single Judge of this Court noticed that the State Government was supposed to take action against the persons allegedly found involved in vitiating the selection process; and the respondents were also to submit a specific affidavit in that regard.

Dey has also referred to the affidavit filed by the State, indicating some actions taken.

However, the Advocate General has submitted after instructions that the enquiry proceedings against the then Director are pending.

The proceedings proposed against the other officer, who was supposed to act as the Chairperson of the Selection Committee, were dropped after she was found not guilty of involvement in the matter, he informed.

It was also submitted by the AG that the other two officers have since retired and there are no proceedings pending against them.

Meanwhile, another obscurity is found in the report of the High Level Scrutiny Committee (HSLC) in relation to the candidates of Jowai Centre wherein their Roll Nos./Sl. Nos. in score-sheets are stated but no such Roll Nos./Sl. Nos. are found in the original score-sheets.

In this regard, the Advocate General submits that the concerned authorities of the department also are unable to clarify.

During the course of submissions by counsel K Paul, it is sought to be suggested that the cases of some of the selected candidates at Dadenggre Centre were left out of scrutiny by the HLSC and they are continuing to serve without their cases having been examined.

On this, the Court said that the Advocate General may complete his instructions in regard to this and all other relevant aspects concerning the HLSC report.

VK Jindal appearing on behalf of the CBI was queried as to whether the original score-sheets were handed over to HLSC for the purpose of its report or not?

Jindal has categorically stated on instructions that the original score-sheets, right from the beginning of the enquiry, remained only with the CBI and the same were never given to HLSC.

Having regard to the submissions sought to be made and in the interest of justice, the bench permitted the interveners represented by counsel, K Paul to submit an affidavit specifying their stand.

The boxes containing documents submitted by the CBI and the State be again kept in the safe custody of the Registrar General; to be produced before the Court as and when called upon to do so.