Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 389/15

HIGH COURT ORDER

Shillong, June 9, 2015: In spite of the High Court of Meghalaya Order dated27.4.2015 directed all the Deputy Commissioners as well as Senior Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police to ensure that no mentally challenged person is seen abandoned by his family or roaming about uncared in public places, or in other places inviting danger and causing inconvenience to public, this Court is not getting any response from the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police as expected.

The High Court of Meghalaya today passed an Order of PIL.No.1 of 2015 with reference to the news item reported in The Shillong Times dated 9thJune, 2015 under the caption “Dorbar confines mentally ill person.” In the news item, it is stated that one mentally unstable person identified as Slinder Turnia (29) has been kept confined in a cell on the request of his relatives and accordingly, in the interest of the denizen of the State of Meghalaya and also in the interest of the public the High Court of Meghalaya directed the Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat shall take immediate steps for shifting the said mentally ill person Mr. Slinder Turnia to a Mental Asylum so declared and recognized by the State of Meghalaya for treatment.

In the peculiar circumstances of this case, the Headman and Secretary of the Dorbar of Ngundro Village of South West Khasi Hills District are to appear in person before this Court on 15-06-2015 at 10:30 AM sharp to explain as to why they take the law into their own hands in the name of social service. The Superintendent of Police of South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat is directed to ensure the personal appearance of the Headman and Secretary of that village before this Court without fail at 10:30 AM sharp on 15-06-2015. The Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police of South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, shall also appear in person before this Court on 15-06-2015 at 10:30 AM sharp.