Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court gave lawyers extra time to submit affidavits of unconditional apology. A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew issued the order on Tuesday. Most advocates named in the court's October 8 notice appeared in person for the hearing of PIL No. 21 of 2026. Only two individuals listed at serial numbers 13 and 15(vi) missed the session.
Proceedings stem from an October 8 notice under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act and Article 215 of the Constitution. The court targeted 24 office-bearers and executive members from the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association and the Shillong Bar Association. These lawyers face potential criminal contempt for calling a strike starting October 1. They obstructed judicial work to demand the removal of Advocate General Amit Kumar. The court will revisit the case on October 14, 2026.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stepped into the fray on Tuesday. He urged the legal community to abandon the strike and return to the table. Sangma insisted that the government must balance lawyer grievances against the need to keep the courts open. He rejected demands for a hasty dismissal of the Advocate General, noting the office manages complex litigation for farmers, teachers, and miners. He defended Kumar’s professional record, noting he avoids cases where lawyers object to his presence, though some matters require his specific expertise.
Sangma addressed rumors regarding his personal connection to the lawyer, admitting a long history between them but asking critics to focus on professional output. He remains open to future talks. "Dialogue, he stressed, was the way forward." For now, the legal standoff continues as the court awaits the formal affidavits.
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