Sordar sentenced to 20 days imprisonment

SHILLONG, APR 30: Meghalaya High Court on Thursday sentenced Wahkhen village sordar Skhembor Khongjirem to 20 days simple imprisonment for contempt of a court order prohibiting headmen from issuing NOC.

Khongjirem was produced before the high court when it issued the order.

Yesterday, Khongjirem was sent to a one day judicial custody after a hearing was conducted by the court.

Pronouncing its order on Thursday, the court said, “As discussed and mentioned hereinabove, we have held the contemnor guilty of committing criminal contempt under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 read with Article 215 of the Constitution.”

“Now, on the question of sentence, having taken the consideration the totality of circumstances of the case, we punish the contemnor with a sentence of 20 days simple imprisonment with a fine of Rs 1000, which shall be deposited within a period of two months,” the order said.

Further the order said, “In case of default in payment of fine, the contemnor shall undergo further 10 days simple imprisonment.” “In view of the aforesaid consideration of materials and pronouncement on conviction and sentence, the criminal contempt stands disposed of,” the court observed.

Questioning the powers of the traditional heads in the state, the Meghalaya high court in its ruling in December last year, observed that a village/locality headman did not derive any right from law, and rule or from the Constitution of India to issue NOC for the purpose of birth/death or for registration of any document as well as for building permission and obtaining loan.

Further, the court order has also directed the state government and its district administration not to indulge or ask people to obtain NOC from headmen.

Earlier, Khongjirem in his statement made to the media has claimed that he has been issuing certificates to the residents of his village.

“I have been issuing the certificates since many villagers come to me for issue of certificates either for opening of a bank account or for submission to the government departments to avail various schemes,” Khongjirem had stated.

He claimed that the certificates have greatly helped residents, especially farmers who are applying for loan and various government schemes.- By Our Reporter