Meghalaya HC asks Assam Govt to file affidavit on illegally mined coal within a week’s time

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 9, 2022

The Meghalaya High Court on Friday granted a week’s time for the Assam government to file an affidavit on the preliminary inquiry into the allegation that illegally mined coal in Meghalaya is being smuggled out of the state by obtaining forged and fabricated papers in Assam.

In its order, the Division Bench said, “Since the State of Assam seeks further time to file its affidavit, the time for such purpose is extended by a week from date.”

It said that the matter will appear immediately after the vacation on February 2.

On October 19, the High Court had asked the Assam government to file an affidavit after allegations were made by two petitioners – Champer M Sangma and Maikel T Sangma – in their PILs that that the illegally mined coal in Meghalaya is smuggled out to Assam and re-routed to the State, sometimes for ultimate export to Bangladesh, by obtaining forged and fabricated papers in Assam.

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Meanwhile, it was submitted on behalf of the respondents in WP(C) No. 195 of 2022 that since PIL No. 8 of 2022 deals with the same matters as incorporated in the writ petition, the writ petition may be closed. The petitioner has no objection to the order.

The court said accordingly, WP(C) No. 195 of 2022 is disposed of without going into the merits thereof and leaving all questions open. There will be no order as to costs.

Since the State had called an inquiry to be conducted subsequent to the filing of this petition, the report of the inquiry may be cited in course of the public interest litigation, it said.