A division bench of the Gauhati HIgh Court has imposed cost amounting to Rs 7,000 to be deducted from the salary of officer(s) responsible for delaying the process of the court in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) relating to ‘illegal, unscientific & unregulated extraction of stones from Jatinga River’. The bench has further made it clear that ‘in case needful isn’t done by the next date of listing, the Court would be constrained on imposing cost in the sum of Rs 25,000’.
In its earlier hearing on the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on Jan 10, 2020 the bench directed the respondents to ‘file specific affidavit as to whether scientific study was conducted before issuing auction notice for removal of stones from the river-bed’.
As ‘affidavits in deference to the direction issued were not filed, & DFO, Cachar (respondent number 3) was required to file reply in regard to the fact situation in context of the issue raised. “Mr A. Das, Advocate has appeared to say that he doesn’t have a copy of the petition. Such lame excuses cannot be accepted on behalf of the State. We deem it just & proper to impose cost in the sum of Rs 7,000 to be deducted from the salary of the officer(s) who is found responsible in causing delay in process of the Court to be deposited with the Assam State Legal Services Authority.”
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) will be heard on Feb 27, 2020.
Read Order Here:
