Dimapur, November 25 : The Kohima bench of Gauhati High Court has set aside and quashed the impugned Cabinet resolution dated 8/6/2016 in favour of the PIL filed by Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) for restoration of legal powers and jurisdiction of the State Vigilance Commission.
Considering the circumstances of the case as of great public importance, the PIL No. 6 (K) of 2016 came up for hearing before Justice LS Jamir of the Kohima Bench. After hearing the PIL for two consecutive days on November 21 and 22, the High Court bench further directed to re-open all inquiry/investigation which were affected by the terms of the resolution dated 8/6/2016, petitioners Theja Therieh, chairman, media cell and convenor on SVC, Zhovehu Lohe, advisor and Er. Talituba Sanglir, executive member, NTC said in a release on Friday.
Earlier, the NTC had in a representation to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Nagaland urged him to rectify the 8th June, 2016 Resolution which, it said, was found to be detrimental, saying there must be an authority acting as a deterrent to corrupt activities in the State in the interest of the general public.
It also urged the Government of Nagaland to restore the legal powers and jurisdiction of the State Vigilance Commission by revoking the erroneous Cabinet resolution without delay.
However, the State Government remained insensitive to the demand compelling NTC to take the issue to the High Court for redressal of public grievances, the NTC said.
The case was represented by Taka Masa, Sr. Advocate and assisted by Arenlong, and Khrievono, both advocates.
With this directive of the court, the NTC fervently hoped that the State Government will take steps to restore the State Vigilance Commission to its rightful position as before.
“The Government of Nagaland, by a resolution dated 09/04/76, has set up the State Vigilance Commission (SVC), and which provides its jurisdictions and powers. By Notification dated 15/06/76, the Directorate of Vigilance, is declared as a Police Station and by another notification dated 09/12/76, the Director of Vigilance and Anti Corruption, is declared as the Officer-in-charge of the said Police Station. The notification dated 21/08/99, have provided the sections of law to be investigated by the SVC. The SVC, have power to investigate under the Code of Criminal Procedure, in the said jurisdiction,” the NTC said earlier as reported on August 24.
The NTC also said the impugned Resolution dated 08/06/16, issued by the Chief Secretary, the Political Executives and All India Services and others were kept outside the purview of the SVC.
