HC asks Meghalaya govt to file 'specific affidavit' on dealing

The Meghalaya High Court today asked the state government to file a "specific affidavit" mentioning as to what concrete measures have been taken for streamlining of prosecution and adequate dealing of Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs).
"It would be expected of the state government to take all the requisite measures in the meantime and to file a specific affidavit in concrete terms before the next date," a bench comprising of Chief Justice Dinesh Maheshwari and Justice Ved Prakash Vaish said in an order, following a PIL filed by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority.
Although the state government has filed an affidavit in the matter through senior government advocate N D Chullai, the bench felt it was "in too general terms" and was difficult to make out as to what concrete measures have been taken on the matter.

The bench also wondered why the directorate of prosecution is yet to be established even as the Governor approved its setting up since 2008.
On the affidavit filed on the separation of the judiciary from the executive, the bench observed it was also difficult to find out if the government has assigned this as "top priority".
Chullai, however, has assured effective measures would be taken up before the next date of hearing, which has been fixed for July 11.