Shillong, Sep 28: The Meghalaya High Court on Monday disposed of a PIL seeking early elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Hearing a petition filed by Nilberth Ch. Marak, the division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh said it does not deem it appropriate to consider the relief at present.
The petitioner had sought a direction to the state to hold GHADC general elections or impose Administrator’s Rule.
The state informed the court that due to law-and-order situation, the GHADC election was postponed on March 11, 2026. Subsequently, on March 18, the Governor extended the present term of GHADC and its members for six months from April 19 to October 18, 2026.
The government also informed that on April 6, GHADC reconstituted a delimitation committee to analyse demographic trends and recommend fair and equitable boundaries based on latest census data. The committee has to conduct public hearings and submit its report within six months.
Considering these developments, the court disposed of the petition but made it clear that the petitioner is at liberty to file a fresh petition if elections are not held within a reasonable time.
The court also clarified that it has not examined the locus of the petitioner and kept all contentions open.
