SHILLONG, JUNE 8: The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to file a specific affidavit in concrete terms with regards to the measures taken for streamlining the prosecution and adequate dealing of Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs).
In its order issued on Wednesday, the court said, “It would be expected of the state government to take all the requisite measures in the meantime and to file a specific affidavit in concrete terms before the next date.”
The next date of hearing on the petition filed by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority on this regard has been fixed on July 11.
The court in its order has also observed the affidavit filed on behalf of the government in compliance of the order dated May 19, is in “too general terms”.
“It is difficult to make out as to what concrete measures have been taken by the government for streamlining the prosecution and adequate dealing of under trial prisoners,” it stated.
Further, the court has also stated that it is difficult to appreciate that when the Governor of Meghalaya approved the setting up of the Directorate of Prosecution as back as on April 15, 2008 but wondered as to why the same is yet to be established and why the regular cadre of prosecutors is not available.
Again while referring to the submissions made in the affidavit as regards to the status of separation of judiciary from the executive, the court said, “It is too general in nature and again it is difficult to find if the government has assigned this matter of separation from the judiciary top priority, as was expected of it.”
Meanwhile, the court maintained that it would prefer not to make further comment in the matter since the government senior GA ND Chullai submits that the matter may be taken up after four weeks and effective measures shall be taken in the meantime.-By Our Reporter
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