The High Court of Meghalaya has directed that the Bar Council of India be added as a party in an ongoing case concerning the safety of women advocates and interns, after hearing details of an assault on a lawyer allegedly carried out by members of the outlawed HNYF outfit. The order came on August 3, 2026, from a bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh.
Background of the Case
The matter, a writ petition filed by the High Court of Meghalaya Bar Association, has been running for weeks, with the court closely monitoring police action after an advocate was attacked. During the hearing, the Advocate General placed on record an affidavit from Vivek Syiem, Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills District, who was also personally present in court as earlier directed.
The affidavit revealed that an FIR was registered at Sardar Police Station on July 31, 2026, against a group linked to the HNYF, invoking multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Four persons believed to belong to the outfit have already been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.
According to medico-legal papers submitted before the court, the advocate who was attacked had been punched on the left cheek and jaw, with swelling noticed on the cheek and lower lip. The report also noted a history of pain in the right knee and a brief loss of consciousness lasting five to ten minutes. Doctors had advised a detailed head and face scan for further examination. Police told the court they had also secured CCTV footage covering the route from Keating Road to the police station.
The bench noted that since some individuals not connected to the state had held a press briefing inside the police station premises, the Superintendent of Police had already issued an internal order banning such briefings by non-state actors within police premises. The court expressed hope that the Director General of Police would extend a similar direction across the state so police stations and prisons are not used for press briefings by political parties or NGOs.
Senior Advocate K. Paul informed the court that the Bar Council of Meghalaya had met on July 31, 2026, and was working on a mechanism to address the safety and dignity of women advocates and interns. He also assured the court that drop-box facilities for harassment complaints would be made mandatory in all Bar Association offices within the week - a statement the court accepted.
Considering the wider concern involved, the bench felt it necessary to bring both the Bar Council of Meghalaya and the Bar Council of India into the case as respondents, so they could place their responses on record. Notice was ordered to be issued to the newly added parties, returnable within two weeks.
The Superintendent of Police was exempted from appearing on the next date, but the Investigating Officer was directed to remain present with case papers.
The matter has been listed next for August 19, 2026.
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