SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya on Monday ordered detention of five members of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) but later granted bail against personal bond of Rs 20,000 each in the contempt of court case.
The case relates to contempt of court by former KHADC CEM Adelbert Nongrum after he criticized the December 14, 2014 order of Justice SR Sen stripping the powers and functions of headmen.
Since there was shouting of slogans by HYC members outside the court premises during the hearing of the contemptuous remarks by Nongrum on January 27, 2015, the High Court had earlier ordered a CBI inquiry which found the involvement of the pressure group.
The court in its order on Monday said the counsel for the respondents – Donboklang Kharlyngdoh, Nickson Dohling, Isaac Basaiawmoit, Anthony Kharbuli and Robert June Kharjahrin – had attempted to submit that stage-march or even holding a dharna by itself may not amount to contempt but the respondents have understood the importance of law and tendered unconditional apology.
However, the court was of the view that at this juncture, all these submissions do not make out a case for discharging the respondents.
The implications of their acts, particularly of staging a demonstration directed towards judicial process of this Court and of so-called expressing solidarity with the principal contemnor KHADC MDC, Adelbert Nongrum who was also present, would be examined after the final hearing.
“At this juncture and stage, suffice it to say that on the reports as made and for the rather indisputable facts on record, a prima facie case of interference in due course of judicial proceedings, which lowers the authority of this court and which obstructs the administration of justice, is made out against the five contemnors. Thus alongside the principal contemnor these five are also required to be charged for having committed criminal contempt of court,” the order said.
According to the court, the respondent-contemnors were given the chance to file further statement of defence on or before the next date of hearing.
“The respondent-contemnors are ordered to be detained in custody in exercise of powers under Section 14 of the Contempt of Courts Act read with Article 15 of the Constitution of India. However, these contemnors have moved individual applications for bail that are being considered and dealt with separately. This matter will be listed for orders and hearing on September 11,” the order added.
Later, the five leaders filed bail application and all the applications were considered on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 20,000 with two sureties in the sum of Rs 10,000 each to the satisfaction of the Joint Registrar, High Court of Meghalaya.
