Shillong, Oct 13: Lawyers facing criminal contempt proceedings for calling abstention from judicial work have sought time from the Meghalaya High Court to file affidavits tendering an unconditional apology.
The matter was heard by Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew on Tuesday.
During the hearing, all the advocates were personally present except two.
“They all seek time to file their respective affidavits tendering an unconditional apology and assuring not to repeat the same again,” the court said.
The bench granted time and listed the matter to October 14.
The High Court had initiated criminal contempt proceedings against 23 office-bearers including High Court Bar President KS Kynjing, Shillong Bar President HR Nath and others for calling abstention demanding removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar.
The court noted that the abstention call made from October 1 demanding the removal of the AG, has affected judicial work and left litigants unrepresented across the state.
“Lawyers have no right to go on strike or even token strike or to give a call for strike” the court had said, stating that strikes interfere with the administration of justice.
