The Supreme Court has stayed the demolition of all remaining coke plants in West Khasi Hills and also directed that the plants should remain sealed.
The order was passed by the top court yesterday on an appeal made by Karmela Coke Industries which challenged the order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills for demolition of all coke plants in the district.
The division bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Dipankar Dutta while staying the demolition of coke plants in the district also asked the Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills to seal the coke plants’ premises so that they remain non-functional until further notice.
“Meanwhile, demolition of coke plants, as directed by the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District shall remain stayed. However, the said Deputy Commissioner shall be at liberty to seal the coke plants’ premises which shall remain non-operational,” the Supreme Court said.
As regard to the plea by the owners of the coke plant for anticipatory bail in FIR No.39 (12) of 2022 dated December 17, 2022 registered with Shallang Police Station, the Supreme Court directed them to firstly approach the full bench of the Meghalaya High Court.
“We are of the considered view that the petitioners should firstly approach the full bench of the High Court of Meghalaya, under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure along with all the documents which they are relied upon before us,” the top court said.
With a view to enable the petitioners to approach the High Court for grant of anticipatory bail, the Supreme Court directed that the arrest of the petitioners shall remain stayed as an interim measure for a period of two weeks subject to their joining and fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation in the case.
It may be noted that in December 2022, based on a PIL, the Meghalaya High Court had ordered shutting down of all illegal coke plants in the State. The High Court had also issued orders for arrest and legal action against owners of the illegal coke plants.
Following this, the State government had arrested a number of owners of the illegal coke plants and also demolished some of the plants in West Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills.
