‘Law department aware of role of notaries’

SHILLONG: The District Council Court Bar Association has clarified that the notaries in the KHADC were appointed by the Law Department which is aware that they were functioning as public prosecutors/government pleaders at the time of appointment.
In a statement issued here on Sunday related to the news item on notaries of the KHADC, the Bar Association said, “The issue involves the rules and regulations regarding the appointment of public prosecutor and public notaries. Anomaly, if any, is to be dealt with by the appointing authority.”
The statement said the allegations against notaries, Ibaphidahun Shisha Lyngdoh Mawphlang and Jennyca F. Blah were the handiwork of the vested interests to malign the legal profession.
The Bar Association also denied the allegations that the notaries are charging fee beyond the permissible limit and also the view that poor people prefer to go to the magistrate.
Regarding the occupation of the room, the Association said that there are three notaries of East Khasi Hills who are functioning and attached to the Shillong Bar Association premises.
“Similarly, the notaries namely Ibaphidahun Shisha Lyngdoh Mawphlang and Jennyca F Blah, also of East Khasi Hills district, are functioning in the conference room/district council bar association room prior to its shifting to the basement of the court premises,” it said.