'Should Hurt The State Next Time A Person Dies In Custody': Meghalaya High Court Calls For Punitive Compensation For Custodial Deaths

The Meghalaya High Court has asked the state government to fix a punitive rate of compensation for unnatural deaths in custody while adding that the quantum of compensation should be high enough to act as a deterrent against such deaths.Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew observed,“It is possible that a classification may also be made as to quantum based on the age of...

Specify Measures Taken To Avoid ‘Hideous Display’ Of Animal Carcasses By Meat Shops: Meghalaya High Court To State Govt

The Meghalaya High Court has asked the state government to specify the effective measures taken by it to prohibit the hideous display of carcasses on either side of main roads at meat shops.The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh sought an affidavit from the state government in this regard after the HC was informed that the state has put in place...

Meghalaya High Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail Plea Of ACHIK Members In Connection With Violence Case

The Meghalaya High Court has rejected a set of anticipatory bail applications filed by the members of Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK), who are alleged to have been involved in connection with a violent incident that occurred on July 24, 2023. The incident involved an assembly of protesters and dignitaries, including the Chief Minister, at the Mini Secretariat building...

Supreme Court Stays Demolition Of Coke Plants Ordered By Deputy Commissioner In Meghalaya

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice and stayed the demolition of coke plants as directed by Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District in Meghalaya. It’s accompanied by a directive for the Deputy Commissioner to seal the coke plants, effectively rendering them non-functional until further notice.Earlier in December 2022, based on a PIL, the Meghalaya High Court had ordered that...

Ethical Treatment Of Animals: Meghalaya High Court Asks State To Set Up District Animal Market Monitoring Committees

Emphasising the need for the ethical treatment of animals and for a more caring and hygienic attitude towards livestock, the Meghalaya High Court has asked the State to indicate the measures taken for setting up local bodies in terms of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017.The directions to this effect came from Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee...

Meghalaya HC Refuses Bail To Woman Arrested In NDPS Case 9 Months Ago, Says Investigating Agency Be Given Wide Latitude To Curb Drug Menace

The Meghalaya High Court has refused bail to a woman arrested last year in connection with two cases under the NDPS Act. While doing so, it underscored the collective responsibility of society and the judiciary to combat the issue of drugs effectively.Bench of Justice W.Diengdoh observed,“It is incumbent upon the society as well as courts to combat this menace in whatever possible way...

Excise Act | Meghalaya High Court Upholds Order Granting Interest To Assessee On Refund Of Deposit Made 'Under Protest' During Investigation

The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday upheld the order passed by the Customs Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) granting interest on the delayed refund of a deposit made by the assessee under protest, during investigation for allegedly claiming excess cenvat credit.Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh observed that Section 11B of the Central Excise...

No "Band-Aid" Solution For Meghalaya Electricity Crisis, State Must Prepare Long-Term Plans: High Court

"There is no band-aid solution which may be resorted to in this case," the Meghalaya High Court observed while hearing a PIL concerning the severe electricity shortfall in the State.A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh therefore asked the government to come up with a long-term plan to address the deficit.“A blueprint requires to be prepared as to...

Centre Notifies Appointment Of Advocate Biswadeep Bhattacharjee As Additional Judge Of Meghalaya High Court

The Central Government has notified the appointment of Advocate Biswadeep Bhattacharjee as an additiona judge of the Meghalaya High Court. He is at present the Additional Advocate General of the State."In exercise of the power conferred by the Constitution of India, the President of India, after consultation with Chief Justice of India, is pleased to appoint Shri Biswadeep...

Meghalaya High Court Refuses Bail To Director Of Coke Plant Allegedly Involved In Illegal Mining

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday refused bail to the Director of a coke plant allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in West Khasi Hills District.A single bench of Justice W. Diengdoh observed that given the gravity of the alleged offence, Investigating Officer should be given ample opportunity to complete his investigation.As to the reliance placed by accused on Sunil Bharti...

Some Rivers In Meghalaya So Contaminated That They May Not Even Be Fit To Step Into: High Court

Several of the rivers, including the Umkhrah in Shillong itself are carrying such contaminated water that they may not be fit even to step into, the Meghalaya High Court observed on Wednesday.The remarks were made by a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Deingdoh to express dissatisfaction with the State's Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Guidelines,...

Supreme Court Collegium Recommends Elevation Of Advocate Biswadeep Bhattacharjee As Meghalaya High Court judge

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Advocate Biswadeep Bhattacharjee as a judge of the Meghalaya High Court. He is at present the Additional Advocate General of the State.In the resolution passed on July 12 but uploaded later, the collegium said that his name was proposed by the High Court Collegium on August 12 last year. However, no constitutional functionary in...