Shillong, Mar 23: The Meghalaya High Court on Tuesday dropped the case filed against former KHADC chief Adelbert Nongrum for making derogatory and defamatory statements against the Court in 2015.
It may be mentioned here that five HYC leaders were also impleaded in the case. These include Anthony Kharbuli, Robertjune Kharjahrin, Donboklang Kharlyngdoh, Nickson Dohling and Issac Basaiawmoit.
In its order, the Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice W Diengdoh said that since the first respondent has filed an affidavit and the previous order noticed that the respondent Nos. 2 to 6 had also filed their affidavits, no further action may be taken on the matter.
“The respondents are reminded that while it is open to every citizen to indulge in constructive criticism of any system or institution, scurrilous criticism lowers the dignity of the institution and undermines the authority that such institution may otherwise exercise,” it said.
“The bail bonds pertaining to the first respondent will stand discharged. Crl. OP (C) No. 1 of 2015 and MC [Crl. OP (C)] No. 3 of 2015 are dropped,” the bench stated.
Meanwhile hailing the order of the court, Nongrum said, “I am happy with the closure of the case after 7 years. I am thankful to the Meghalaya High Court for accepting my apology. I have full faith in the Constitution of India and its institutions.”
