CEM apologies in HC, but case to go on

SHILLONG, JAN 27:  In a jolt to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chief Adelbert Nongrum, the single bench of the Meghalaya high court consisting justice SR Sen has referred the alleged derogatory remark against judiciary to the division bench even as Nongrum tendered his apology during the hearing on Tuesday.

Nongrum who was accompanied by his party-KHNAM- colleagues, the HYC members and some ngos appeared before Justice SR Sen in the Meghalaya high court and apologies. But the single bench referred the case to the division bench and the date for hearing is yet to be fixed.

The Meghalaya high court premises were cordoned off which heavy deployment of Meghalaya police and CRPF.

The district administration had clamped a prohibitory order and imposed section 144 CrPC prohibiting gathering of the public within 500 meters radius of the Meghalaya High Court to avoid any possible breakdown of law and order.

Senior advocate HS Thangkhiew who appeared on behalf of Nongrum told reporters after the hearing, “The Court has put the case before the Division Bench and the date for the hearing is yet to be fixed.”

Thangkhiew, however, refused to divulge the details of the hearing as he said the order of the court on today’s hearing is still awaited. But he did say that the case against Nongrum will continue.

The single bench of the Meghalaya High Court had summoned the KHADC chief executive member (CEM) Adelbert Nongrum for allegedly making ‘derogatory’, ‘defaming’ and ‘contemptuous’ statement against the judiciary.

The court had taken cognizance of the statements made by the KHADC CEM on December 30, 2014 and January 8, this year against a court order issued by SR Sen on December last year, that came as a big blow to the traditional heads in the state.

Speaking to reporters outside the court’s premises, Nongrum said, “I had done my duty by appearing before the hon’ble judge justice SR Sen and stated my clarification before him with regards to the allegation pertaining to the statements made by me during a public meeting held on December 30, last year.”

“I have tendered my apology both verbally as well as in written before the court. Now I am waiting for the order from the court on the matter,” Nongrum informed.  When questioned whether the court accepted his apology or not, Nongrum said, “Only one thing is clear that I have apologize but I am not going to compromise with the issue of the Indigenous community.”

He added, “I have expressed my disagreement with the ruling of the court in relation to the traditional heads.”

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC), Khasi Student’s Union (KSU) and Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) were seen waiting for Nongrum outside the Court’s premises to show their solidarity and support to him.

Nongrum was accompanied by his Executive Committee (EC) members and KHNAM’s leaders who took out a procession towards the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) after the court’s hearing.- By Our Reporter