HC sentences tribal chief to 20 days' imprisonment

The High Court of Meghalaya today sentenced a tribal village chief to 20 days' simple imprisonment for contempt of court after he was found to have issued NOC against the high court ruling here.
A division Bench consisting Chief Justice Uma Nath Singh and Justice T N K Singh in an order sentenced Wahkhen village headman Skhembor Khongjirem to 20 days' simple imprisonment and imposed on him a fine of Rs 1,000 to be deposited in two months.
In case of default in payment of fine, Khongjirem will undergo further 10 days' simple imprisonment, the Bench ordered.
The headman was taken into custody yesterday after he appeared at the hearing conducted by the division bench of the high court headed by the Chief Justice.

"We have held the contemnor guilty of committing criminal contempt under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 read with Article 215 of the Constitution," the Bench said.
Questioning the powers of the traditional heads in the state, the High Court ruling had in December last year observed that a village/locality headman did not derive any right from law and rule or from the Constitution to issue NOC for the purpose of birth/death or for registration of any document as well as for building permission and obtaining loan.

According to the division bench, the tribal village chief had called the press conference and made the statement that he was issuing certificates in violation of the Court's order apart from addressing the media persons on other issues.

The High Court had in an order issued on April 23 directed the headman to appear in person before the court today after taking cognizance on reports which alleged that he has violated the court's order by issuing the certificates for bank accounts, bank loans.
The village chief's counsel, S P Mahanta admitted that the law will take its own course in case of any attempt by any person to defy the orders of the Court or scandalize the Court.