Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
The full bench of the Meghalaya High Court on Thursday stated that the affidavit filed by the Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) is more about what has been done after the horse has bolted.
“What the Court required was for the horse to be kept safe and to close the stable door. It does not appear that either the administration or the police has made any endeavour in such regard as the stable doors have been left wide open with both the administration and the police looking the other way,” the full bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Justice H S Thangkhiew and Justice W. Diengdoh stated.
It may be mentioned that during the last hearing, the High Court of Meghalaya had directed Chief Secretary DP Wahlang and DGP LR Bishnoi to file personal affidavits responding to the facts and observations indicated in the 13th interim report filed by Justice (retd) Brojendra Prasad Katakey.
The full bench of the high court stated that instances referred to in Justice Katakey’s 13th interim report must be individually dealt with and both the chief secretary and the DGP will file further affidavits indicating measures taken to ensure that there is no breach of the subsisting orders in future.
“Such further affidavits should be filed within four weeks,” the court said.
In the meantime, the high court has also asked that the state should also ensure that the previous coal is disposed of as per the original schedule as set by Justice Katakey.
“Justice Katakey will keep on monitoring the situation and keep up the good work. A further ad hoc remuneration of Rs 5 lakh be immediately released to Justice Katakey,” the full bench directed the government.