State women’s panel yet to decide on Delhi HC stay

NEWDELHI/SHILLONG: The Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) is yet to decide whether it would respond to the Delhi High Court’s stay order on its summons to a Golf Club official in connection with the harassment of a Khasi lady from Meghalaya.
The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the MSCW order summoning the club secretary, Rajeev Hora.
When contacted, MSCW Chairperson Theilin Phanbuh said, “We will examine the matter.”
Earlier, Justice Vibhu Bakhru also sought response from Meghalaya women’s commission by September 8, the next date of hearing, on a petition filed by the Delhi Golf Club challenging the commission’s July 3 order.
“Prima facie, this court finds merit in the submissions of the counsel for the petitioner (the Delhi Golf Club). Consequently, the notice is stayed till further order of this court,” the High Court said in its judgment.
Tailin Lyngdoh was humiliated by two club officials on June 25 because she was wearing Jainsem. They also used derogatory words.
Acting on a complaint by Lyngdoh, the commission had directed the secretary of the club to appear in person before it in Shillong on July 14.
Challenging the commission’s order, the club said MSCW did not have jurisdiction to issue such direction on an incident that happened outside that state.
Last week, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes also issued a notice to the Delhi Golf Club. The errant club has constituted an “independent” inquiry but the victim and the affected family have refused to depose before the committee.