Move to streamline prosecution of undertrials
SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has asked the State government to take all the requisite measures to file a specific affidavit in concrete terms on the measures to streamline the prosecution of under trial prisoners in the State before July 11.
The Division Bench of the Court on Wednesday observed that the affidavit on behalf of the government in compliance of the order of May 19 is in too general terms and it is difficult to make out as to what concrete measures have been taken by the government for streamlining the prosecution and adequate dealing of under trial prisoners.
It is difficult to appreciate that when the Governor of Meghalaya approved the setting up of the Directorate of Prosecution as way back as on April 15, 2008, as to why the same is yet to be established and why the regular cadre of prosecutors is not available,” the Court said.
According to the Court, the submissions as made in the affidavit as regards status of separation of judiciary from the executive are also too general in nature and again it is difficult to find if the government has assigned this matter of separation from the judiciary top priority, as was expected of it.
N.D. Chullai, Senior Government Advocate, made a submission that the matter may be taken up after four weeks and effective measures will be taken in the meantime.
The next date of hearing has been fixed for July 11.