The Meghalaya High Court has closed contempt proceedings against several advocates who participated in a call to abstain from judicial work, accepting their unconditional apologies and assurances that they would not join similar boycotts in the future.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew held that the apologies were sincere and that the withdrawal of the boycott call, followed by the advocates’ expressions of regret, had restored the authority of the law.
Background
The High Court initiated the proceedings after the Shillong Bar Association and the Meghalaya High Court Bar Association called for advocates across Meghalaya’s districts to abstain from judicial work from October 1, 2026. The resolution sought the removal of the state’s Advocate General.
On October 8, the Court issued notices under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, read with Article 215 of the Constitution, asking the concerned advocates to respond.
The two Bar Associations withdrew the call for abstention on October 9, the day after the contempt notices were issued.
When the matter came up on October 13, most of the advocates appeared before the Court. Several submitted affidavits expressing unconditional apologies and assuring the Bench that they would not participate in any similar abstention from court work in the future.
Two advocates, K.S. Kyngjing and N. Syngkon, submitted that they had not participated in the boycott. They produced documents showing that they had appeared before the courts despite the call for abstention. The Bench consequently dropped contempt proceedings against them.
Proceedings against two other advocates were also dropped after the Court was informed that they had resigned from their respective posts before the boycott resolution was passed.
The Bench considered the timing of the withdrawal, the apologies tendered at the earliest opportunity and the assurances given by the advocates. It found that their expressions of regret were genuine and made in good faith.
The Court observed that the unconditional apologies were “bonafide and sincere” and that the advocates had demonstrated genuine remorse.
Taking note of the withdrawal of the boycott call and the commitments made by the advocates, the Bench concluded that “the majesty of law stands restored.”
The Meghalaya High Court accepted the advocates’ apologies and assurances, discharged them from the contempt proceedings and closed the petition.
The Bench also acknowledged the stand taken by both Bar Associations and expressed its trust that such abstention from court work would not be repeated.
Case Details
Case Title: Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya v. State of Meghalaya & Others
Case Number: PIL No. 21 of 2026
Bench: Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew
Decision Date: October 14, 2026
