SHILLONG: In a curious case, the High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday directed that two cheques meant for compensation of land owners for a hydro project which were lost in the year 1968, should be tracked.
H. Nongkhlaw, the lawyer for the petitioners, who are villagers, said that the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) had acquired land at Lawbyrwa village near Sumer for the Umiam stage II project in 1960s.
During that time, the then ASEB had even issued compensation to the villagers whose lands were acquired for the project, but the cheques were misplaced and the villagers till date have not received their compensation which prompted them to approach the High Court.
During the hearing on Tuesday, the Court said that cheque No. OA/16-593936 dated 25.07.1968 for Rs. 2,95,966.76 and cheque No. OA/17-601261 dated 13.11.1968 for Rs.7946.14 should be tracked.
The Court also wanted to know where these cheques were lying and to inform in writing on the next date fixed.
Justice SR Sen also directed the treasury officers Hubert Syiem, Shillong South and Tynshain Syiem, Shillong North, to find out the details of the cheques.
However, the senior counsel for MeECL KS Kynjing, during the hearing suggested that in this case, the Chief Accounts Officer, ASEB, may be summoned to appear before the Court and to assist to trace out the missing cheques since the entire transaction was done during undivided Assam. The Court also issued fresh notice to the Chief Accounts Officer, ASEB, in connection with the case.
“He (Chief Accounts Officer) is directed to track the record and to bring the record before this Court on the next date fixed failing which, natural course of law will follow,” the Court said.
The Court also directed the counsel for the petitioners to take steps immediately and to submit the status of service report by next date.
The matter will be heard again after four weeks.
