SHILLONG:
The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the 14th respondent in a public interest litigation (PIL) pertaining to illegal transportation of coal to file its affidavit dealing not only with the petition but also with the affidavits filed by the State of Meghalaya and the State of Assam within a week from date.
The matter pertained to the perceived illegal transportation of coal which has been illegally mined in the state. Previous orders reveal that both the State of Meghalaya and the State of Assam have filed their affidavits.
The petitioner (Champer M Sangma) claimed that the respondent No. 14 is a kingpin. The petitioner also pointed out that there is documentary evidence to show that though some coal has entered from outside into the State of Meghalaya, an excess of about 40,000 MT of coal has left the State of Meghalaya.
This, according to the petitioner, could not have happened unless there was illegal mining of coal and a network of transportation.
The Court stated, “There is no doubt that the 14th respondent is interested in delaying matters. Advocate representing the 14th respondent says that he has been engaged today.”
The matter will be listed on March 13, 2023.