Shillong, Oct 14: The Meghalaya High Court today closed contempt proceedings against Bar Association members after they tendered unconditional apology for calling a statewide abstention from court work.
A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew was hearing a suo motu PIL registered against the call for abstention given by Shillong Bar Association and High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association demanding removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar.
On October 8, the court had issued show-cause notices issued to 23 office bearers of the associations under Section 15 of Contempt of Courts Act read with Article 215.
All advocates, except two who had resigned from their posts earlier, appeared on October 13.
While Advocates KS Kynjing, who is the President of the High Court Bar and N. Syngkon proved with records that they had not participated in the boycott and appeared before courts, others filed affidavits stating, “I hereby tender my unconditional apology… I sincerely regret the same and I assure that I shall not participate in any such abstention from attending Courts in the future. I have the utmost respect for the majesty, dignity and authority of this Hon’ble Court.”
Noting that both associations withdrew the resolution on October 9, a day after contempt notices were issued, the bench observed, “We find that the unconditional apology tendered is bonafide and sincere. All the contemnors have shown genuine regret and remorse… the majesty of law stands restored.”
Accepting the apology, the court purged all contemnors of contempt and disposed of the PIL, adding it “acknowledges and appreciates” the Bar’s stand and trusts it will not be repeated.
