The Meghalaya cabinet has approved the operation of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) in the entire State.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said this was done after a detailed consultation with all the autonomous district councils.
He said the government has cleared the notification whereby the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 will be applicable to the courts in Meghalaya.
The district council courts shall continue to derive powers under paragraph 4 and 5 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, he said.
Sangma said all actions taken by the district council courts throughout Meghalaya, under the Rules for the Administration of Justice & Police in the Khasi & Jaintia Hills, 1937 and the Rules of Administration of Justice & Police in Garo Hills, 1937 shall deemed to have been taken under the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
Similarly, for the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 only the similar part has been changed whereas the rest of the notification remains the same, he added.
Under the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, the District Council Court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear and try cases between tribals in tribal areas.
Recently, KHADC Chief Executive Member Titos Chyne had said that the implementation of CrPC and CPC in tribal areas will have an impact on the jurisdiction of the District Council Courts, Additional Subordinate District Council Court and also the Village Courts which are functioning as per the prevailing customs.
