Shillong, Nov 6: The Meghalaya High Court has ordered for transfer of a case filed against jailed chairman of the banned militant outfit – Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), Champion R. Sangma in Baghmara to the Sessions Court, Shillong.

While disposing of the petition, Justice S.R. Sen in his order passed here on Monday said, “I hereby order that the Baghmara P.S. Case No. 62 (10) of 2011 (G.R.Case No. 98 of 2011) be transferred to the learned Sessions Court, Shillong immediately.”

The Sessions Court, Shillong was directed to expedite the trial and dispose of the matter within three months.

In the order, Justice Sen also stated that if the petitioner (Champion) desired, he can move for a fresh bail application and the Court should decide the matter in accordance with law.

Meanwhile, the High Court has pulled up the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Baghmara, South Garo Hills District for defying its order passed in this regard on June 6, this year by failing to complete the expedite trial and complete the same within three months.

It also directed the ADC to deposit Rs 10,000 as cost upon him for defying the court’s order with the registry within 15 days from Monday.

Stating that it is pertinent and crystal clear that no importance was given to the said order quoted above for the reasons best known to the Baghmara ADC, Justice Sen said, “Such acts and deeds on behalf of the ADC, definitely amounts to contempt of Court. Had there been any difficulty, the ADC could have informed the Registrar General seeking extension of time, but that too had not been done.”

Justice Sen also took cognizance that the first bail application (of Champion) was moved on 23-06-2017 and it was reserved for order on 28-06-2017 and the order was passed on 29-06-2017. Similarly, the second bail application was moved on 22-09-2017 and the order was passed on 10-10- 2017.

“I remind here, that it is a settled principal of law that a bail application should be disposed of on the same day as the liberty of a person is involved. However, if there are exceptional circumstances, it may be delayed for a day but not more than that and every Subordinate Court should take note of this,” he stated in the order.