SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has directed the former GHADC chief PK Sangma to vacate the official quarter immediately.
Passing a judgment on a petition filed by Sangma seeking a stay on the GHADC order to vacate the house, Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari on Monday said that if the petitioner deposits an amount of Rs.3500 (per month rent) with the respondent — the State Government — on or before March 24 and also submits an undertaking to the concerned Deputy Commissioner stating that he would vacate the quarter in question by March 30 , he may be allowed to retain the same until that date.
He made it clear that in case of other dues and claims it shall be permissible for the parties to take recourse to appropriate proceedings in accordance with law.
He said that the undertaking of the petitioner, when filed in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura, shall be forwarded to the Court immediately.
It may be mentioned that the Secretary to the GHADC Executive Committee had made a request to the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura, to depute a magistrate for eviction of the petitioner on March 22.
Faced with the likelihood of forcible eviction, Sangma approached the High Court by filing the writ petition on March 18 seeking reasonable time for vacating the house.
Prior to this development, Sangma was served several notices to vacate the house, which he has been occupying since the time he assumed the charge of CEM. However, he could not make to the Council in the election held in October, 2015.