SHILLONG, AUG 4: The Meghalaya High Court today questioned the former KHADC chief Adelbert Nongrum for failuring to reach the court room on time even as it grant two-weeks’ time for filing supplementary affidavits.
In its order issued on Thursday, the High Court said, “We have again found the approach of the principal contemnor (Adelbert) questionable.”
Stating that this matter is listed at Item No.2 on today’s board and was called out at about 10:35 am, it stated, “We had waited for him and in fact, the principal contemnor entered in the Court Room only between 10:45 am to 10:50 am.”
Apart from Nongrum, in compliance with the recent order issued by the court on July 19, the members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) were present in the court room well in time.
These include the HYC general secretary Robert June Kharjahrin, Nickson Dohling, Organizing Secretary; Donboklang Kharlyngdoh, Vice President; Anthony Kharbuli, Adviser; and Issac Basawiamoit, Asst. Organizing Secretary.
However, when we enquired about the personal presence of the persons concerned, it was indicated that the 5 persons were present in the Court but, it was suggested that the principal contemnor could not reach the Court, allegedly for having got stuck in some traffic jams.
The order stated – It has been indicated in the earlier order dated July 19, also that he was on bail granted by the Court and, as required by the bail order as also by the subsequent order and as required by law, the principal contemnor is supposed to be present in the Court on each date of hearing, which necessarily requires his presence at the time when the case is called out.
When the Court have expressed its reservations that the principal contemnor has not taken care to reach the Court within time so as to attend the matter though other persons have indeed reached the Court well on time, senior counsel GS Massar and HS Thangkhiew frankly submitted that they could not defend such shortcomings on the part of the principal contemnor but today’s default may be excused and for that matter, the principal contemnor would be ready to deposit costs with the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority for his mistake where the Court was unnecessarily required to wait for him.
“We have taken note of the submissions made by the learned counsel for the principal contemnor but as at present, without passing any order on these submissions, we keep this aspect open for final order on the subsequent date,” the court stated while order listing of these matters on September 7.
Meanwhile, the High Court has also granted permission to the five HYC leaders to file supplementary affidavits within two weeks.
“In the totality of circumstances of this case, we grant such permission in the manner that if any supplementary affidavit or affidavits are proposed, the same may be filed within two weeks from today,” the order stated.
This was after the counsel K Paul, appearing for the 5 persons has made a submission that though affidavits tendering unconditional apology as also clarifications from the 5 persons have been filed but in the totality of circumstances, they may be permitted to file supplementary affidavits making their position further clear.
Moreover in compliance with the order, the HYC members have also deposited the cost of Rs 5,000 each on August 3, with the Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority.-By Our Reporter
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