The Meghalaya High Court, sitting in Shillong, on Wednesday adjourned a series of interconnected criminal transfer petitions filed by several petitioners-including Shri Medius Mawlot and others-after the State sought additional time to file responses. Justice H.S. Thangkhiew presided over the matter, which saw an unusually packed list of cases clubbed together for hearing.
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Background
The petitions-ten in total-were brought before the court under the title Shri Medius Mawlot vs. State of Meghalaya & Ors. and other related matters. These were listed as Transfer Petitions (Criminal) between 2019 and 2025, reflecting long-running disputes where accused individuals or parties have sought to move their criminal cases to different courts for reasons including alleged bias, convenience, or procedural fairness.
Among the petitioners were several local residents such as Kawangkmen Syiemlieh, Adrian Basawiamoit, and Hamebanshembor Syiem, each represented by different counsels. The State was represented primarily by Government Advocates Ms. R. Colney and Ms. I. Lyngwa, who appeared across most of the connected matters.
Lawyers for the petitioners included a wide array of advocates such as Mr. N.M. Mansuri, Mr. L. Koch, and Ms. A.D. Syiem, each pressing for early listing or intervention in their respective petitions. The atmosphere in court, as one observer noted, was “tense but orderly,” with multiple counsels taking turns to mention their matters before the bench.
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Court’s Observations
During the brief hearing, Justice Thangkhiew took note of the respondents’ request for time. The State’s counsel submitted that some of the petitions required further factual clarification and coordination among departments.
“The bench observed, ‘Since the learned counsel for the respondents seeks time to file necessary responses, these matters are adjourned for convenience,’” a lawyer present in court told Court Book News.
Sources familiar with the case said the petitions are part of a growing number of transfer pleas emerging from criminal proceedings in Meghalaya’s lower courts. Many of them involve similar procedural questions-whether trials should be moved out due to alleged local influence or conflict of interest.
A senior advocate present remarked informally outside court, “These cases may look small, but the principles involved-fair trial, impartiality, convenience-are at the heart of criminal justice.”
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Decision
At the end of the short hearing, Justice Thangkhiew formally directed that all ten transfer petitions, including Tr.P.(Crl.) No. 2 of 2025 and connected matters up to Tr.P.(Crl.) No. 3 of 2024, be listed for further hearing on November 12, 2025. The court recorded the request of the State’s counsel and refrained from making any observations on the merits of the petitions.
The proceedings concluded with the judge noting, “At the request of the learned counsel for the respondents in Tr.P.(Crl.) No. 1 of 2024, list these matters on 12th November, 2025.”
For now, all eyes will be on the next date of hearing, when the State is expected to file its responses, potentially shaping the fate of these long-pending transfer applications.
Case: Shri Medius Mawlot vs. State of Meghalaya & Others (with connected petitions)
Court: High Court of Meghalaya, Shillong
Case Numbers: Tr.P.(Crl.) No. 2 of 2025 and connected matters (2019–2024 batch)
Petitioners: Shri Medius Mawlot and several others (including Kawangkmen Syiemlieh, Adrian Basawiamoit, Hamebanshembor Syiem, etc.)
Respondents: State of Meghalaya & Ors.
Date of Order: 22 October 2025
