In a dispute that laid bare simmering tensions within a village employment body, the Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to conduct an inquiry into allegations that two office bearers of the Alokdia Village Employment Council (VEC) were coerced into signing a resignation letter. The division bench, led by Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice W. Diengdoh, passed the order while disposing of an appeal filed by the duo.
Background
The appellants, Sonalin M. Sangma and Jenny A. Marak, claimed they were the former President and Secretary of the Alokdia VEC under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in West Garo Hills. They approached the court after their writ petition was dismissed by a single judge in June 2025.
According to them, certain private respondents-local residents-had forced them to sign a resignation letter dated 24 September 2024. Later, when they filed a complaint, the original letter was returned, suggesting it was never officially acted upon. “That shows the so-called resignation was neither voluntary nor valid,” their counsel A.H. Hazarika argued.
The State’s counsel, Additional Advocate General T. Yangi B, informed the bench that she could neither confirm nor deny whether the document produced was a photocopy of the original or if it was indeed submitted for reconstitution of the VEC. Interestingly, this issue was not raised before the single judge earlier.
On the other hand, counsel for the private respondents accused the appellants of forging signatures of job card holders in order to unlawfully extend their tenure.
Court’s Observations
After listening to all sides, Chief Justice Sen remarked that the controversy over the authenticity of the resignation letter and continuation of office required factual determination by the government authorities. “We are of the view that the State respondents shall decide this issue after giving an opportunity of hearing to the parties and upon verification of the record,” the bench observed.
The judges also noted that the reconstituted VEC-already in place-would continue functioning until the inquiry concludes. The court refrained from delving into the merits of the case, emphasizing that fairness demanded an administrative inquiry first.
Decision
In its order, the High Court directed the State government to complete the inquiry and take a decision within eight weeks from the date of the order. “The State respondents shall, upon enquiry being conducted and after ascertaining whether the appellants continued beyond the period of three years, take appropriate decision,” the bench said.
With this, the court disposed of both the main appeal (WA No. 47 of 2025) and the connected application (MC(WA) No. 70 of 2025), effectively transferring the responsibility of fact-finding to the government while allowing the reconstituted council to function for now.
Case Title: Sonalin M. Sangma & Anr. vs. The State of Meghalaya & Ors.
Case Numbers: WA No. 47 of 2025 with MC(WA) No. 70 of 2025
Appellants: Sonalin M. Sangma and Jenny A. Marak
Respondents: State of Meghalaya and others (including local villagers from Alokdia)
Date of Judgment: 22 October 2025