Shillong, Mar 2: The Meghalaya High Court on Monday impleaded one Abdul Ahad Choudhury in a petition challenging the order of the Lokayukta for a CBI probe into the alleged coal scam.

During the hearing on Monday, an application has been filed by the state government for impleadment of Choudhury against whom several allegations have been made in the main petition.

It is alleged that the main writ petition was based on a complaint filed by one Abhijt Basumatary who is relying on several documents authored by Choudhury.

“For the stated reasons, the application for impleadment of Abdul Ahad Choudhury as party respondent No. 2 is allowed,” the court said in its order.

Advocate General (AG) A Kumar informed that one Advocate, PT Sangma has filed his Vakalatnama before the Lokayukta at Meghalaya on behalf of Choudhury. The court has directed that notice be issued to the newly impleaded respondent returnable by March 18, and give dasti for service.

It has also directed the AG to serve an additional set of writ petition on PT Sangma, counsel for the newly impleaded respondent who prays for time to seek instructions.

The AG further submits that this writ petition has been referred to the Division Bench on account of pendency of the earlier writ petition [WP(C) No. 293 of 2019] titled “Kubon Sangma & Anr. v. State of Meghalaya & Ors.” wherein, validity of Section 5 of the Lokayukta Act has been challenged.

The AG also said that if eventually the validity of Section 5 of the Act is upheld, both the matters will have to be heard by the Single Bench as per rules of practice and procedure of this Court so that the parties may not lose the remedy of appeal before the Division Bench.

The court said this aspect of the matter shall be considered on the next date on March 18.