Absence Of Witnesses Not Ground To Exonerate Accused In POCSO Case If Survivor's Testimony Reliable: Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court has recently ruled that the absence of witnesses in sexual assault cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) cannot be used as a justification to exonerate the accused in such cases, if survivor's testimony is reliable.A Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh while dispelling the notion that...

Operators Of Illegal Coke Plants Mostly Based In Assam, Several Benami Transactions Also Detected: Meghalaya Police to High Court

In pursuance of the order directing it to find out the persons behind the setting up of illegal coke oven plants in Shailang Area of West Khasi Hills Districts, the police has told the Meghalaya High Court that the investigation has revealed that the operators are mostly based in Assam and raids have been conducted to arrest them.“That insofar as the actual owners/operators of the illegal...

Complicity Of State With Mafia Operating In Illegal Mining Of Coal & Its Transportation Is Clear And Obvious: Meghalaya High Court Raps Govt

The Meghalaya High Court has expressed deep concern over the laxity of the State in allowing tens of thousands of metric tonnes of coal to be cleared for export through land customs stations without verifying the source or origin of the coal. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh said:“Several letters issued to the State by Central agencies and by the...

Meghalaya High Court Asks State To Prohibit Exhibition Of Animal Carcasses By Meat Shops, Says It May Be Stored In Refrigerators Or Containers

The Meghalaya High Court has asked the state government to prohibit the display of animal carcasses at meat shops while giving the liberty to store them in refrigerators or containers or even in showcases within the premises but not open to public view from outside.A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh passed these directions while hearing a Public...

'Shut The Stable Door After Horse Has Bolted': Meghalaya High Court Expresses Dissatisfaction At DGP's Affidavit In Illegal Coal Mining Case

The Meghalaya High Court has expressed dissatisfaction at the affidavit filed by the Director-General of Police (DGP) for their apparent inaction and failure to check illegal coal mining operations and transportation in the State.Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of action taken regarding the numerous instances of flagrant breach of subsisting orders highlighted in Justice Katakey's...

Meghalaya High Court Orders Protection Of Water Bodies, Restricts Construction Near High-Water Mark

The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to ensure that it does not allow any construction to come up within 50 metres of the high-water mark of the relevant waterbody, without the express previous leave of the Court.A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh passed this direction while hearing a Public Interest Litigation on...

Meghalaya High Court Mulls Contempt Proceedings Against Chief Secretary, DGP For Failure To Check Illegal Coal Mining Operations

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday sought to know why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against both the State's Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police for their apparent inaction and failure to check illegal coal mining operations and transportation in the State.A full bench comprising Chief justice Sanjib Bannerjee and Justices HS Thangkhiew, W. Diengdoh slammed...

Electricity Not A 'Luxury': Meghalaya High Court Criticizes Frequent Power Cuts, Says State Has Duty To Ensure Adequate Supply

The Meghalaya High Court recently criticized the State and its electricity regulatory body, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), for rampant power cuts in the State, admittedly due to imbalance in demand and supply.While hearing a PIL in this regard, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh observed, "Electricity is no longer a luxury. It is the...

Meghalaya High Court Lauds State Govt's Initiative To Ease Traffic Congestion In Shillong

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday lauded the State government's initiative to procure a large number of buses for ferrying school children in its bid to reduce the number of cars on road."The most commendable aspect of the matter is the short time within which an initiative has been taken," a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W. Diengdoh remarked while perusing...

Meghalaya High Court Says Govt "Nurtured" Illegal Coal Mine Operators, Directs State To Indicate Action Taken Against Kingpins

The Meghalaya High Court has once again expressed concern over the unabated illegal mining and transportation of coal in the State, despite the orders of the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court. The court has also raised suspicion that the illegal activities may have been supported by the State government.A full bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee, Justice H S Thangkhiew...

Meghalaya High Court Refuses To Quash POCSO Case Against 'Husband' Of Rape Victim

Observing that the narration of the victim does not show that the sexual relationship between her and accused was consensual, the Meghalaya High Court refused to quash a case of aggravated penetrative sexual assault under Section 506 IPC r/w Section 5(j)(ii)(l)/6 of the POCSO Act against a man despite a compromise between the parties, who also claimed to be married. The victim was 13 years...

Custodial Deaths: Meghalaya High Court Directs State To Consider Enhancing Compensation By 25%

The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to consider enhancing the compensation it provides to bereaved families of custodial violence victims, by 25%. "Or, at the very least, make a distinction based on the age of the person dying in custody," it added.The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice H S Thangkhiew was hearing a Suo Motu PIL instituted...