The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to complete its incognito inspection of weighbridges across the state by April 30, 2025.
The division bench of Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Tennydard M. Marak today.
In its order on December 5, the court had directed the State government to conduct A two-hour unannounced spot inspection of 28 weighbridges across the State in the presence of the petitioner.
However, the court noted that the State government has not carried out a proper inspection as per the earlier order and that inspection claimed to be done, was without notice to the petitioner.
The court said there is a dispute between the parties with regard to the number of weighbridges to be covered.
Advocate General Amit Kumar in his submission said that the state government is agreeable to conduct a fresh inspection.
The court said the government should prepare a list of weighbridges and send it to the petitioner by February 19. “If the petitioner thinks that some weighbridge has been left out he will indicate that to the government. Accordingly, the list will be finalised. The list of weighbridges thus prepared by the government will be treated as final,” the court said.
The spot inspection should be conducted when vehicular traffic is the greatest through each of the weighbridges maintaining the secrecy, the court added.
The court also directed the government to file a report in terms of the December 5 order by May 2, 2025.
The next hearing has been listed for May 8, 2025.
