SHILLONG, July 1: In what may be described as a victory for Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) president James P.K. Sangma, the High Court of Meghalaya has suspended the June 27 notice convening a Special General Meeting (SGM) of the Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) scheduled for July 3. It has also stayed the resolutions and consequential actions arising out of the Emergent Apex Council meeting held on May 9.
Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew passed the order on Wednesday in connection with a petition filed by the MCA president.
MCA honorary secretary Rayonald Kharkamni and six others had sought interim relief, including a stay on the June 27 notice convening the SGM, suspension of the resolutions and actions flowing from the May 9 meeting, restraint on the first respondent (Kharkamni) from acting on behalf of the MCA, and protection of the authority and independence of the association’s Ombudsman.
After hearing the submissions of the petitioner’s counsel and examining the materials placed before it, the court observed that the 26th Apex Council Meeting held on March 7 had approved the appointment of the Ombudsman in the presence and with the participation of three other respondents.
The court further noted that the subsequent actions undertaken by the first respondent to revisit and undo those decisions, particularly in the backdrop of serious allegations and related developments, warranted consideration at the interim stage.
“In the considered view of this court, the petitioner has made out a prima facie case for interim orders at this stage,” Justice Thangkhiew observed.
Accordingly, the court directed that, until the next date of hearing, the June 27 notice calling for the SGM on July 3 shall remain suspended.
The court also ordered that the resolutions and consequential actions arising out of the May 9 meeting shall remain suspended.
The court further ordered that the MCA Ombudsman shall continue to discharge his functions in accordance with the MCA Constitution and the law until the next date of hearing.
The interim order was passed ex parte, and the court clarified that the respondents are at liberty to seek vacation, modification, or alteration of the order before the next hearing. The matter has been directed to be listed along with the main writ petition on July 21.
