SHILLONG, AUG 24: Expressing dissatisfaction over the process of separation of judiciary from the executive, the Meghalaya high court has threatened to take recourse to coercive measures against erring government officials if ‘concrete’ and ‘substantial’ progress is not shown in the process of separation.
The high court took up the case after a petition was filed by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) pertaining to the separation of the judiciary from the executive. The court on Wednesday decided to defer the hearing to September 7.
In its order issued on Wednesday, the High Court said, “We make it clear that instead of mere paper works, it is expected that concrete and effective progress is shown before the court on the next date (September 7) of hearing.”
The court also warned, “It is also made clear that if concrete and substantial progress is not shown on all the related aspects, this Court would consider adopting of coercive measures against the erring officers,” the order stated.
Having examined the affidavits filed by the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Law Department as also the Joint Secretary (Home) Department, the court said, “We have expressed thorough dissatisfaction over the manner of dealing with the matter relating to the judiciary on the administrative side of the Government and have indicated several flaws and shortcomings that proper infrastructure is not coming up in most of the districts where separation has taken place and the situation is worse in the districts where separation has not taken place yet.”
The order also stated that though the state government had indicated that a ‘Dedicated Cell’ has been created in the government to look after all infrastructural aspects and to ensure expediting the process of separation from the judiciary but then, even the progress on the part of the Dedicated Cell does not appear to be of requisite pace, who is said to have met only on 22nd instant.
When the court expressed thorough dissatisfaction, the Advocate General has also joined and attempted to suggest that serious efforts are being made in the Government to streamline all the aspects relating to judiciary.
“We have also indicated to the Advocate General a few instances which show clear want of seriousness as also want of respect on the part of the officers of the Government towards judiciary,” the court said adding “We are not elaborating on all such aspects today as Dr. BP Todi, Advocate General has assured that requisite and necessary steps shall not only be taken but shall be given top priority.”-By Our Reporter
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