Meghalaya High Court Urges AAI To Consider Starting Shillong-Bhopal Direct Flights As Judges Need To Attend National Judicial Academy

The Meghalaya High Court recently suggested that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) should consider establishing a direct flight between Shillong and Bhopal on Fridays and Sundays.The Court also recommended that, in the national interest, the AAI should ensure the availability of connecting flights (non-direct flights) to Bhopal from major cities or states like Chennai, Kerala,...

S. 313 CrPC | Procedure Adopted By Trial Court Must Be Such That It Could Be Understood By An Illiterate Person: Meghalaya HC

The Meghalaya High Court has recently noted that the procedure adopted by the trial court in discharging its duty towards the object of Section 313 of CrPC (Power to examine the accused) must be couched in a form which an ignorant or illiterate person may be able to appreciate and understand. A bench of Justice B. Bhattacharjee underscored that while recording an illiterate...

Justice H.S Thangkhiew Appointed As Acting Chief Justice Of Meghalaya High Court

The President of India has appointed Justice H.S Thangkhiew, senior-most Judge of the Meghalaya High Court as its Acting Chief Justice with effect from November 2, 2023 as the current Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee retired today.The notification issued in this regard reads thus:"In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to...

Meghalaya High Court Asks State, AAI To Expeditiously Complete Inspection For Shillong Airport Expansion

Hearing a Public Interest litigation seeking to enhance Air connectivity in Meghalaya, the High Court has issued directives to the State Government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to expedite the inspection for expansion of Umroi Airport near Shillong.The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice B. Bhattacharjee urged the authorities to complete the...

Liability U/S 23 POCSO Act Extends To Reporter, Contributor Of News Disclosing Minor's Identity: Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court has recently clarified that Section 23 of the POCSO Act applies not only to publishers and owners of media outlets but also to reporters or contributors of news.Justice B. Bhattacharjee emphasised that the intention of the legislature behind the enactment of this provision is that the identity of a child should not be disclosed directly or indirectly. "Section 23 of...

Ensure No Garbage Pile Up In Jowai Till Waste Disposal Unit Is Commissioned: Meghalaya High Court

Stressing the importance of a robust waste management system in Jowai, the Meghalaya High Court has directed the state to ensure that there is no piling up of garbage or waste at any place in Jowai, till such time that the waste disposal unit is commissioned.The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Deingdoh observed,“Once the relevant unit becomes functional, the...

'Grandiose Plans But Very Little Improvement': Meghalaya High Court Asks State To Explore Innovative Solutions For Traffic Congestion In Shillong

The Meghalaya High Court expressed grave concern over the escalating traffic congestion in Shillong, observing that despite the State's ambitious plans, the situation on the ground remains dire. It thus urged the authorities to explore out-of-the-box solutions to alleviate the city's traffic congestion.A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh added that...

'Unacceptable In A Civilised Country': Meghalaya High Court Slams NHAI For Neglecting NH-6 Potholes, Deteriorating Roads

The Meghalaya High Court recently pulled up the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for its negligence over the deplorable and deteriorating state of National Highway 6 (NH-6). The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice B Bhattacharjee found the situation entirely unacceptable in a civilized country and expressed disappointment that it had to remind a central...

Noting That Accused Is HIV Positive, Meghalaya High Court Grants Bail To A Woman Booked Under NDPS Act

The Meghalaya High Court last week granted bail to a woman booked under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) as it noted that she is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Positive. While passing this order, a bench of Justice W Diengdoh opined that special consideration was required to be given to her so that she could get proper treatment in an environment...

'Death In Custody A Slur On A Civilised State': Meghalaya HC Fixes Quantum Of Punitive Compensation (₹10-15 Lakh) For Custodial Deaths In State

Stressing that a death in custody is a "slur" on a civilised State and the same is "completely unacceptable", the Meghalaya High Court last week fixed the quantum of compensation, for 'unnatural' deaths in police custody, payable to the next of kin based on the age of the victim. A bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew ruled that the Meghalaya Government would have...

Overloaded Vehicles: Meghalaya High Court Calls For CCTV Monitoring Of Weighbridges To Prevent Corrupt Practices

Aiming to curb the menace of overloading of goods vehicles on the national and state highways, the Meghalaya High Court has ordered the implementation of stringent measures to ensure that weighbridges and weigh-pads remain accurate and free from tampering."At any rate, the mere fact that there may be 28 weighbridges and six weigh-pads may not count for anything unless regular and honest...

Meghalaya High Court Strikes Down State Guidelines Barring Teachers From Engaging In Political Activities

Upholding the democratic rights of teachers, the Meghalaya High Court has struck down the executive guidelines introduced by the State government in 2021, which prohibited teachers from engaging in political activities and contesting elections.A division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Deingdoh observed,“Again, as this great nation was also conceived in liberty...