POCSO Act | Meghalaya High Court Denies Bail To Two Teachers Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 5-Year-Old

The Meghalaya High Court has refused to grant bail to two teachers accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old student inside a school washroom, observing that allegations of sexual assault against children must be viewed seriously given their vulnerability and the trauma such acts can cause. The Court held that the survivor's statement prima facie made out a case of sexual assault against the accused and, considering the nature and gravity of the allegations, declined to show leniency at the...

Police Stations/ Prisons Can't Be Used For Press Briefings By Any Political Party Or NGO: Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court has observed that Police Stations/ Prisons cannot be used for press briefings by any political party or NGO other than the police department.The said directions were passed in a writ petition filed by the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association (HCBA) seeking action on certain members of Hynniewtrep National Youth Foundation (HNYF) who allegedly apprehended an advocate...

Meghalaya High Court Seeks Report On Non-Functional CCTV Cameras In Police Stations, Impleads ED, CBI NIA, NCB & DRI

The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday (July 30) directed the State to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the installation, functioning and maintenance of CCTV cameras in police stations across the State, after prima facie finding non-compliance with the Supreme Court's directions on CCTV surveillance in police stations. The division bench comprising the Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere...

2-Minute Delay In Reporting For Counselling Can't Defeat Meritorious Candidate's Admission: Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court has directed the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homeopathy (NEIAH) to grant admission in the next academic session to a postgraduate Homeopathy aspirant whose candidature was cancelled after he reported approximately two minutes late for counselling. Holding that the delay was neither deliberate nor mala fide, the Court observed that denying admission to...

Licensed Foreign Liquor Shop Can't Be Shut Down On Moral Objections If It Complies With Excise Law: Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court has held that once an IMFL retail vend satisfies the statutory requirements under the Meghalaya Excise Act and Rules and possesses a valid licence, the authorities cannot prevent its operation merely because of objections based on moral considerations.Justice H.S. Thangkhiew observed that: “Though a citizen has no fundamental right to trade or do business in liquor,...

Convict's Age, Physical Fitness Alone Cannot Justify Denial Of Premature Release: Meghalaya High Court

The Meghalaya High Court has held that a convict's age, physical fitness, and the gravity of the offence cannot, by themselves, form the sole basis for rejecting a plea for premature release. Observing that the object of remission is to assess the prisoner's reformation, the Court ruled that any determination regarding the likelihood of a convict committing future offences must be based...

Meghalaya High Court Asks Centre, State To Examine Feasibility Of Independent Forensic Science Laboratory

The Meghalaya High Court recently asked the Directorate of Central Forensic Science Services, New Delhi and the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratory, Meghalaya, to examine the feasibility of establishing an independent Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the State.The division bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh passed the said direction while...

Appointment To New Post After Abolition Of Old One, Not 'Promotion' For MACP Benefits: Meghalaya High Court

A Division Bench of the Meghalaya High Court comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh held that when an employee is shifted to a newly created post (Hindi Officer/Assistant Director) due to abolition of the earlier post (Hindi Instructor) and merger of pay scales of both posts, such appointment is not a promotion and cannot be counted as financial upgradations...

Honeymoon Murder Case | Meghalaya High Court Upholds Shillong Court Order Granting Bail To Sonam Raghuwanshi

The Meghalaya High Court today UPHELD an April 2026 order by a Shillong court granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime suspect in the chilling May 2025 "honeymoon murder" of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi.With this, a bench of Justice W Diengdoh DISMISSED the State's appeal challenging bail granted to Raghuwanshi. The Court had reserved its verdict in the matter on June 10 after...

Honeymoon Murder Case | Meghalaya HC Reserves Verdict On State's Plea Challenging Bail Granted To Sonam Raghuwanshi

The Meghalaya High Court has reserved its verdict in the state's plea challenging the Shillong Court order granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime suspect in the chilling May 2025 'honeymoon murder' of her husband, Raja Raghuwanshi. After hearing the case for over 10 days, during which both the State and Raghuvanshi's counsel made extensive arguments, a bench of Justice...

Meghalaya High Court Legal Services Committee Forms Panel For Handling Death Sentence Reference Matters

The Legal Services Committee of the Meghalaya High Court recently constituted a 'Panel for Handling Death Sentence Reference Matters Brought before the Honourable High Court'. The said Panel has been comprised of the following members:Senior Advocate Kaustav Paul Advocate Phuyosa YobinAdvocate Philemon Nongbri The Panel was constituted in pursuance of the order dated April 27 by the Supreme...

Honeymoon Murder Case | State Moves Meghalaya HC Against Shillong Court Order Granting Bail To Sonam Raghuwanshi

The State of Meghalaya has moved the Meghalaya High Court, challenging the Shillong Court's April order granting bail to Sonam Raghuvanshi, the prime suspect in the chilling May 2025 'honeymoon murder' of her husband, Raja Raghuwanshi.It may be noted that Raghuwanshi was granted the relief by the Addl. DC (Judicial), Shillong, primarily on the grounds that the police had failed to...