By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Shillong High Court has asked the State Government to file its counter affidavit within four weeks with regards to the application of Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) chief Champion R Sangma which was filed under Article 226 (Habeas Corpus).
Champion’s counsel Sujit Dey on Tuesday said the matter was listed before the Chief Justice of the Shillong High Court, Justice T Meena Kumari, and the Court issued a notice to the State Government to file its counter affidavit within four weeks.
According to Dey, the order of the District Magistrate of East Garo Hills to book Champion Sangma under the Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act (MPDA) points out that Champion and Sohan D Shira are the originators, mentors and founders of GNLA.
However, on the other hand, the charge-sheet filed by the police officer K Prasad points out that the strength of GNLA was increased after Champion Sangma joined the outfit.
According to the lawyer (Dey), the District Magistrate is contradicting himself in the detention order as at one point of time the order says that Champion ‘is the chairman of the GNLA’ and on the other hand it also says that Champion Sangma was acting at the intent of his superior.
“The order says that he cannot be allowed to remain at large but my representation is how he can be at large since he is already in judicial custody?” Dey questioned.
The jailed militant chief was booked under the MPDA by the East Garo Hills district administration which was followed by the West Garo Hills district administration.
Under the MPDA, a person is detained for a maximum of three years and the accused can get bail only after an Advisory Board chaired by a retired Judge meets and decides on the matter.