Meghalaya High Court
Yatra vs State Of Meghalaya & Ors on 5 August, 2026
Author: H.S.Thangkhiew
Bench: H.S.Thangkhiew
Serial No.02
Supp. List
HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA
AT SHILLONG
WP(C). No. 275 of 2024
Date of Order: 05.08.2026
Yatra Vs. State of Meghalaya & Ors.
Coram:
Hon'ble Mr. Justice H.S.Thangkhiew, Judge
Appearance:
For the Petitioner/Applicant(s) : Mr. S.Jindal, Adv.
Mr. S.Goenka, Adv.
Ms. A.Nongbri, Adv.
For the Respondent(s) : Mr. A.Kumar, AG with
Mr. H.Abraham, GA for R 1-5.
Mr. H.L.Shangreiso, Sr. Adv. with
Ms. M.Hajong, Adv. for R 6-8.
In person (R 9).
Mr. K.V.Kharlyngdoh, Adv. for R 10.
Mr. V.S. Jain, Adv. for R 11-15.
1. This matter has appeared today on being mentioned by the learned
counsel for the petitioner.
2. Mr. S.Jindal, learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the
mention was made due to the fact that though the matter was fixed on 22nd
July, 2026, but due to the unavailability of this Court, the next date was not
provided. He submits that the urgency of the matter today is that the yatra
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which is an annual affair is to be conducted on the 9th August, 2026, and he
prays that suitable directions be passed as per the order dated 11-07-2025,
whereby the SOP which was provided by the State respondents was taken
note of by this Court and the yatra could be conducted.
3. On behalf of the State respondents, learned Advocate General has
submitted that this matter has to be examined by the district authorities as it
involves the arrangement and maintenance of public law and order, apart
from the other necessities that had been put in place.
4. On behalf of the respondents No. 6-8, Mr. H.L.Shangreiso, learned Sr.
counsel assisted by Ms. M.Hajong, learned counsel has submitted that as the
matter is already at the fag end and the pleadings are complete, perhaps the
hearing can be concluded to put a quietus to the entire matter.
5. On behalf of the respondents No. 11-15, Mr. V.S.Jain, learned counsel
also supports the prayer made by the learned counsel for the petitioner.
6. On hearing the learned counsels, this Court first notes that a report
has been furnished before this Court showing that the mediation proceedings
were not successful. However, it is pointed out by the learned counsels that
the parties who were not directed by the Division Bench to be part of the
mediation proceedings were also issued notices. As the steps taken by the
Mediation Committee appears to be irregular, the records of the Mediation
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proceedings to be produced and put up before this Bench in the
administrative side.
7. With regard to the other aspect of the matter i.e. the prayer of the
petitioner yatra society for the conduct of the yatra on 9th August, 2026, a
perusal of the order dated 11-07-2025, would show that on the last occasion,
the respondents No. 6-8 also, had submitted that as the same is under the
permission and supervision of the district authorities, they would have no
objection but will maintain that as undertaken by the petitioner, there shall
be no performance of puja or any articles for performance of such rituals
which was recorded in para 2 of the order.
8. In this view of the matter and in view of the shortage of time, the
learned Advocate General is to obtain urgent instructions to be placed on the
next date as to whether the district authorities will be in a position to allow
the conduct of the yatra on 9th August, 2026, as scheduled, similarly as per
the SOP provided by the State respondents in 2025.
9. List this matter on 07-08-2026 for further orders.
10. Copy of this order be furnished to the learned State counsel for
compliance.
Judge
Meghalaya
05.08.2026
“Samantha AR-PS”
Signature Not Verified 3
Digitally signed by
SAMANTHA ANNA LIYA
RYNJAH
Date: 2026.08.05 15:51:53 IST
