Next hearing on Sept 30
SHILLONG: The Supreme Court has extended the stay against the order of the High Court of Meghalaya to demolish illegal constructions along the Wahumkhrah river and has fixed the next date of hearing on September 30.
It was on September 14 that the Supreme Court, in an interim order, had given relief to as many as 30 families when MUDA was preparing to demolish their buildings as per the High Court order.
MUDA was in fact following the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in January this year to carry out dismantling of all unauthorized structures along the Wahumkhrah within three months.
Later, MUDA issued several notices to families residing along the Wahumkhrah.
However, 30 petitioners had filed a case in the civil court which had stayed the demolition order.
After MUDA challenged the order of the civil court, the High Court vacated the stay and asked MUDA to carry out demolition of the illegal structures, however, giving option for the petitioners to approach the Supreme Court as per the NGT Act since civil court was not the right forum.
Later, the petitioners sought the intervention of the Supreme Court which resulted in an interim stay of the order of the High Court.