HC gives Meghalaya CS last chance to file affidavit on illegal mining

The Meghalaya High Court on Monday gave the chief secretary one last chance to file an affidavit on alleged illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state within this week.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee said it was unfortunate that the affidavit of the state government had not been filed despite previous directions and extension on February 14.

The bench was hearing a PIL filed by social activist Tennydard  M. Marak, who claimed that illegally mined coal was being transported in heavy vehicles without due process.

As a last resort, the Chief Secretary has been directed to take the affidavit to court and submit it later this week. The bench in its order said that the chief secretary would report to the registrar general for this purpose.

Let it be an example so that there is no further negligence on the part of the state in following the instructions for filing affidavits. He added that it could also be recorded that it does not make the court happy to treat the teenage students of the school as headmasters.

The matter will be re-heard on March 7.