HC imposes fine on AddlDC for not completing trial in 3 months

The Meghalaya High Court has imposed a fine on South Garo Hills district Additional Deputy Commissioner for failing to complete trial of an alleged militant within three months as ordered by it.
The high court also ordered that the case be transferred to a local court with a direction that the trial be completed within three months.
The Baghmara Additional DC of South Garo Hills district failed to comply with the high court's June 16 order to complete the trial of arrested militant Champion R Sangma within three months following which the court imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 as cost on the erring official.

"Such acts and deeds on behalf of the ADC, Baghmara, definitely amount to contempt of court. Had there been any difficulty, the ADC, Baghmara could have informed the registrar general seeking extension of time, but that too had not been done," Justice Sudip Ranjan Sen said while disposing of the case.
The amount is to be deposited with the high court registry within 15 days and the same will be transferred to the accounts of the Social Welfare director which is to be used for the benefit of juvenile inmates, Justice S R Sen said in his judgement.
The judge also directed transfer of the case relating to Champion Sangma to the Shillong Sessions Court immediately with a rider that the trial court here has to also expedite the trial and dispose of the matter within three months.

The court also allowed the jailed militant leader to move a fresh bail application.

Champion Sangma had move his first bail application in June and the second one was moved in September but the orders for the same were reserved.
Taking note of this, Justice Sen reminded that a bail application should be disposed of on the same day as the liberty of a person is involved.
"However, if there are exceptional circumstances, it may be delayed for a day but not more than that and every subordinate court should take note of this," he said.