Meghalaya High Court
Date Of Decision: 03.03.2026 vs State Of Meghalaya on 3 March, 2026
Author: H.S.Thangkhiew
Bench: H.S.Thangkhiew
2026:MLHC:138
Serial No.03
Supp. List
HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA
AT SHILLONG
WP(C). No. 83 of 2026
Date of Decision: 03.03.2026
Shri. Phrident Singh Thabah
S/o Smti. I.Thabah,
R/o. 24, NEHU Road, P.O.Phudmawri,
East Khasi Hills District,
Meghalaya - 794001.
...Petitioner
-Versus-
1. State of Meghalaya,
Through the Chief Secretary to
Government of Meghalaya, Shillong.
2. The Deputy Commissioner/Collector
Cum Certificate Officer, Ri Bhoi District,
Nongpoh.
3. The Additional Deputy Commissioner
(Revenue), Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh.
4. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India,
Mawngap Branch, East Khasi Hills
District.
5. The Branch Manager, Central Bank of
India, XANTCO St Anthony College Branch,
East Khasi Hills.
6. The Lead Bank Manager,
State Bank of India, Nongpoh.
...Respondents
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2026:MLHC:138
Coram:
Hon'ble Mr. Justice H.S.Thangkhiew, Judge
Appearance:
For the Petitioner/Applicant(s) : Mr. Philemon Nongbri, Adv.
Mr. R.Pahsyntiew, Adv.
For the Respondent(s) : Mr. A.Kumar, AG with
Mr. J.N.Rynjah, GA.
Ms. I.Syiemlieh, Adv.
Ms. S.Laloo, GA for R 1-3.
i) Whether approved for reporting in Yes/No
Law journals etc:
ii) Whether approved for publication Yes/No
in press:
JUDGMENT AND ORDER (ORAL)
1. Heard Mr. Philemon Nongbri, learned counsel for the petitioner.
2. Issue notice.
3. Learned Advocate General assisted by Mr. J.N.Rynjah, learned GA is
present for the respondents No. 1-3, as such, no further notice is called for
on these respondents.
4. As the prayer of the writ petitioner is very limited, notice is not
necessary to be issued to the remaining respondents which are the Banks.
5. It is submitted that the writ petitioner is aggrieved with the orders
dated 11-12-2025 and 29-01-2026, where proceedings under the Bengal
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2026:MLHC:138
Public Demand Recovery Act, 1913, which had been instituted against the
petitioner have been disposed of. Mr. Philemon Nongbri, learned counsel
for the petitioner, submits that in the disposal of the said proceedings, which
is stated to be the recovery of certain amounts which had been disbursed for
compensation, the materials relied upon by the quasi-judicial authority, more
particularly, an order dated 14-05-2025, issued by the Syiem of Mylliem,
was not supplied to the petitioner. He submits that though the challenge has
been made to the impugned orders, at this stage, the prayer of the petitioner
is limited only to the supply of the materials which have been relied upon
by the respondents while passing the said impugned orders, to enable him to
take further steps in accordance with law.
6. Learned Advocate General on behalf of the respondents No. 1-3, has
submitted that no case is made out for any interference by this Court,
inasmuch as, firstly, the matter concerns disputed facts and also that the case
of the writ petitioner is without any substantial basis. Learned Advocate
General has taken this Court through the documents from which the entire
transaction has arisen, such as, the agreement entered into by the writ
petitioner and the alleged vendor of the land, which has been acquired. He
therefore, submits that the very root of the matter being based on an
unregistered and unconfirmed document, the writ petition is liable to be
dismissed in limine.
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2026:MLHC:138
7. This Court, on hearing the learned counsel for the parties, and also on
examination of the materials on record, notes that the matter concerns
disputed facts, apart from the avenues of alternate remedy which have been
availed to by the writ petitioner. However, considering the fact that the only
prayer at this stage is for supply of the documents relied upon by the
authorities to come to the finding in the Recovery proceedings, this Court
without entering into the merits of the matter, directs that the order dated 14-
05-2025, issued by the Syiem of Mylliem be made available to the writ
petitioner, to enable him to avail of other alternate remedy in accordance
with law.
8. As nothing further remains for consideration presently, this writ
petition is closed and disposed of.
Judge
Signature Not Verified 4
Digitally signed by
SAMANTHA ANNA LIYA
RYNJAH
Date: 2026.03.03 18:15:33 IST