Ankur Das v. The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and 5 Ors

Serial No. 01-43 Regular List HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG

MC(WPC) No. 201 of 2025 with MC(WPC) No. 202 of 2025

MC(WPC) No. 203 of 2025

MC(WPC) No. 204 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 205 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 206 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 207 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 208 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 209 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 210 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 211 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 212 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 213 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 214 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 215 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 216 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 217 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 218 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 219 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 220 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 221 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 222 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 223 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 224 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 225 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 226 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 227 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 228 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 229 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 230 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 231 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 232 of 2025

MC(WPC) No. 233 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 234 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 235 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 236 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 237 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 238 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 239 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 240 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 241 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 242 of 2025 MC(WPC) No. 243 of 2025 in WP(C). No. 352 of 2022 (disposed of)

Date of Decision: 09.09.2026

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¶7East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya

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¶6East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya – 793108.

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Shri. Debashish Dey, S/o Shri. B. Dey, R/o Dharambasti Bholaganj,

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In MC[WP(C)]. No. 222 of 2025

Shri. Monju Das, S/o (L) R. Das, R/o Dharambasti Bholaganj,

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Shri. Subroto Das, S/o Shri. S. Das, R/o New Majai Bholaganj,

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Shri. Sandeep Dey, S/o (L) Sudhangshu Dey, R/o Dharambasti, Bholaganj,

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Shri. Himadri Roy, S/o (L) Harikrishna Roy, R/o New Majai, Bholaganj,

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In MC[WP(C)]. No. 241 of 2025

Shri. Dilip Ranjan Dey, S/o (L) Debendro Dey, R/ o New Majai, Bholaganj,

…Petitioners

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Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice H. S. Thangkhiew, Judge

Appearance: For the Petitioner/Applicant(s) : Mr. S.Dey, Adv.

Mr. J.Suchiang, Adv.

For the Respondent(s) : Mr. H.L.Shangreiso, Sr. Adv. with

Ms. D.Lyngdoh, Adv. for R 1-4.

Mr. R.S.Malngiang, Adv. for R 5.

Mr. S.P.Mahanta, Sr. Adv. with

Mr. M.Lyngdoh, Adv. for R 7.

i) Whether approved for reporting in

Law journals etc:

ii) Whether approved for publication

in press:

JUDGMENT AND ORDER (ORAL)

¶1This issue which concerns the renewal of trading licenses of the petitioners in all these connected matters has been pending due to a deadlock with regard to who is to issue the fresh No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the applicants. It is noted that on an earlier occasion, the original NOC was issued by the Syiem of Sohra, and as such, the judgment rendered by this Court had directed accordingly that the NOC be obtained from his office. However, as the matter progressed, there was some confusion with regard

as to whether the NOC was to be obtained from the Sordar of Majai or the Syiem of Sohra.

¶2This confusion has now been clarified by the District Council respondents who have issued a Notification dated 11th August, 2026 which is annexed as Annexure-3 to the additional affidavit filed by the District Council respondents, whereby the Executive Committee, KHADC has authorized the Acting Chief, Sohra Syiemship to issue the NOC or any other certificates/documents required by the residents of Majai after proper scrutiny, authentication and due diligence. The said Notification dated 11th August, 2026 is reproduced hereinbelow: "OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE KHASI HILLS AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT COUNCIL SHILLONG

NOTIFICATION

NO.DC.XXVII/Genl/66/2017-2026/191 Dated Shillong the 11th August, 2026.

In partial modification to the Notification NO.DC.XXVII/Genl/66/2017-2026/185 dt. 20.5.2026, the Executive Committee, Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council is pleased to authorise the Acting Chief, Sohra Syiemship to issue No Objection Certificate (NOC) or any other certificates/documents required by residents of Majai, only after proper scrutiny, authentication and due diligence on the genuineness of such applications, until further order.

Sd/- Under Secretary to the Executive Committee Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Shillong."

¶3The learned counsel appearing for all the parties submit that in view of this Notification, the matters can be disposed leaving the applicants to approach the Acting Syiem of Sohra Syiemship for appropriate action.

¶4Accordingly, these connected matters are disposed of by this common judgment and order allowing the applicants to approach the respondent No. 7 for consideration of their NOCs within four weeks from the date of this judgment and order. Pending the decision of the respondent No. 7 and further action thereon by the respondents No. 1-4, the trading activities of the applicants shall not be disturbed.

¶5As ordered above, these misc. applications stand closed and disposed of.

Judge

Date: 2026.09.09 18:55:25 IST