COVID-19: HC defers hearing on PIL to May 5

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 22, 2020

The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday has deferred hearing on a PIL relating to the COVID-19 situation in the state to May 5. 

The PIL was filed by the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association. 

It may be mentioned here that the matter was taken up for hearing before bench comprising of Justice HS Thangkhiew and Justice W Diengdoh on Tuesday. 

The bench has accordingly fixed the next date for hearing on April 25.

In its order issued on Wednesday, the bench said “However, due to inadvertence, the date fixed for the next hearing falls on a Saturday which is a non-working day of the Court.

This being the case, the next date fixed is now re-fixed. Accordingly, matter stands adjourned to05.05.2020.”

Earlier during the hearing yesterday,  S.P. Mahanta Sr. Counsel and K.Paul, Advocate, have also brought up the issue of Health Insurance for frontline workers, availability and quality of PPEs supplied, and also the manner in which the District Administration is notifying and implementing the curfew, which they submit is not satisfactory.

In reply, the Advocate General (AG) A Kumar said that the petitioners may file their suggestions and grievances by way of representation before the Office of the Advocate General itself, which he assures will then be looked into by the authorities concerned.

His suggestion was also agreed by the bench. 

“We are in agreement with the submission of the Advocate General, insofar as, first addressing their suggestions and grievances by way of a written representation. This is in view of the fact that no concrete materials have been placed by the petitioner association, to enable this Court to examine the matter comprehensively to ascertain or detect any inadequacy or shortcoming in the handling of the pandemic, for which orders can be passed to direct the State Respondents to tackle any emergent situation,” the bench had said in its order.