Morung Express News
Kohima | September 22
The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, on September 21, has issued notices on a public interest litigation (PIL), which among others, raised concerns over the service extension the incumbent Director General of Police (DGP) cum Head of Police Force of Nagaland.
The Bench, however, declined to pass an interim order staying the service extension of the DGP T John Longkumer.
“Prayer for interim shall be considered on the next returnable date,” stated the order issued by the Division Bench of Justice LS Jamir and Songkhupchung Serto posting the matter for hearing after three weeks.
In the meantime, the Bench tasked the petitioner to take steps for service of notice upon the other State respondent- Chairman, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and private respondent T John Longkumer by “Registered Post with Acknowledgement Due (AD)” within 1 week from September 21.
Additionally, the petitioner is also permitted to take steps to issue notice on both respondents by dasti service (in hand) through the Registry of the Court within a week.
“Thereafter the petitioner shall file an affidavit to that effect,” it added.
The other State respondents - State of Nagaland, represented by the Chief Secretary; Home Commissioner and Special Secretary (Home), Government of Nagaland as well as the Union of India, represented by Secretary, Ministry Of Home Affairs; and Secretary, Union Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Personnel and Training were represented in the Court on September 21. .
The PIL by the Concerned People of Nagaland through its Convenor Kahuto Chishi Sumi was filed last week, challenging among others the “appointment or charge” given to incumbent DGP.
The petitioner contended that the appointment was “illegal” and given “in absolute disregard to the directions of the Supreme Court” and alleged that by extending the DGP’s service, the State Respondents again “willfully violated” the direction of the apex court.
The “illegal and contemptible action” of the State respondents has compelled the present petitioner to petition the Court for invention in furtherance of Police Reforms set forth in Prakash Singh’s case, the PIL noted.
