Shillong: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council faces a wall. The High Court of Meghalaya cannot form a Division Bench to hear appeals regarding Ainam Manik Syiem, the reinstated Syiem of Hima Mylliem. Four related writ appeals remain frozen. The case hit a standstill on Monday when the court confirmed it could not assemble the required judges.
Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Biswadeep Bhattacharjee led the bench. Justice Bhattacharjee pulled out because he previously represented a party in the case. Justice H.S. Thangkhiew also bowed out earlier. The court left the council with few options.
“In this view of the matter, the appellants are to take appropriate steps, since there is no Division Bench which can be constituted to take up the aforesaid appeals,” the court stated in its August 17 order. This ruling follows the August 11 judgment by Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, who ordered the reinstatement of Ainam Manik Syiem. The KHADC and Acting Chief Alban Fedrick Syiem moved quickly to appeal that decision.
Legal experts now point toward the Supreme Court. The council could file a Special Leave Petition to transfer the case to the Gauhati High Court. Alternatively, they could ask the Supreme Court to strike down the original August 11 judgment directly. The KHADC Executive Committee must now pick a path.
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