The Meghalaya High Court has today dropped the criminal contempt proceedings against Shillong North MLA Adelbert Nongrum and four HYC leaders Robertjune Kharjahrin, Donboklang Kharlyngdoh, Anthony Kharbuli Nickson Dohling and Issac Basaiawmoit.
The case relates to contempt of court by Nongrum after he criticised the December 14, 2014 order of Justice S R Sen stripping the powers and functions of headmen.
It may be noted that contempt proceedings were also registered by the High Court against the HYC members for protesting in the court premises on January 27, 2015 during the hearing of the contempt case against Nongrum.
In an order passed today, the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh also discharged the bail bonds pertaining to Nongrum.
Nongrum and the five HYC leaders have also filed an affidavit before the High Court swearing allegiance to the Constitution of India and the laws framed thereunder. They also undertook not to disturb peace and harmony in the State.
“Since the first respondent has filed an affidavit and the previous order noticed that the respondent Nos. 2 to 6 had also filed their affidavits, no further action may be taken on the matter,” the High Court said.
The court also reminded Nongrum and the five HYC leaders that “while it is open to every citizen to indulge in constructive criticism of any system or institution, scurrilous criticism lowers the dignity of the institution and undermines the authority that such institution may otherwise exercise”.
