The Meghalaya High Court has directed the local police to enquire if the Umpohliew Central Bonded Warehouse really functions from its address at 9th Mile, Baridua in Ri-Bhoi District.
The order on the writ petition filed in the court by the International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWA) challenging the setting up of the central bonded warehouse by the Meghalaya government.
ISWA today filed an affidavit of service before the division bench of the High Court stating that it could not locate the address of Umpohliew Central Bonded Warehouse to serve the legal notice impleading the owners in the writ petition.
According to the affidavit filed by ISWA, after reaching the address of the Umpohliew Central Bonded Warehouse which is in record before this High Court, nobody was found in the said premise except a locked godown.
“Although, we had left a copy each of the Writ Petition being W.P.(C) 186/2021, Miscellaneous Case No.72/2021, order dated 24/08/2021 and a forwarding letter dated 26/08/2021, we have also sent the copies of the same vide speed post on 27/08/2021 bearing consignment No.ES88650108IN,” ISWA said in the affidavit.
It also said that the legal notice was also sent through registered speed post in the stated address in compliance with order passed by the High Court on August 24.
Since the addressee could not be found due to insufficient address, ISWA requested the court that the legal notice served to Umpohliew Central Bonded Warehouse be done through the Commissioner of Excise.
Taking into consideration the averments quoted in the affidavit, the High Court directed the local police station, within whose jurisdiction this address falls, to conduct an enquiry as to whether there is a warehouse in the name of Umpohliew Central Bonded Warehouse, situated in the stated address.
“In the event, there is any warehouse by that name, the local police station shall assist the Advocate-On-Record of the writ petitioner to serve a copy of the writ petition, upon Umpohliew Central Bonded Warehouse, being the private respondent No.3. The entire exercise shall be completed by next week. An affidavit of service, indicating service as directed herein, shall be filed on or before the next date,” the High Court said.
The court also said that the time to file a report in the form of an affidavit by the Meghalaya government in terms of the earlier court order passed on August 24 was extended till the next date of hearing listed on September 28.
Meanwhile, another writ petition filed by the Association of Meghalaya Bonded Warehouses challenging the setting up of the central bonded warehouse will also be taken up by the High Court on September 28.
