Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 03:
In a significant ruling, a Division bench of the Gauhati High Court, Principal Seat, has rejected the criminal contempt petition filed against the State Advocate General, Hijam Nabakumar Singh in connection with the MBBS/BDS entrance examination case.
Chief Justice PP Naolekar and Justice Amitava Roy passed the order yesterday without issuing notices to the State Advocate General.
Earlier a Division bench of the same Court had admitted a criminal contempt case filed against the Advocate General on the plea that the latter had allegedly misled the State Government on the MBBS/BDS entrance examination case.
It may be mentioned here that a single bench of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal bench had on September 12, 2003 quashed the amended rules of the MBBS/BDS entrance examination issued by the State Government.
The nomination of ST and SC candidates on the basis of the amended rules had also been quashed by the same Court.
The Court had however asked the State Government to apprise the matter to the Medical Council of India to see if the entrance examination rules can be amended for the State of Manipur by the Council within six weeks time of the issuance of the order.
The criminal contempt followed after the AG allegedly advised the State Government that no contempt of Court will arise during the pending period of the appeal and that at this stage, "the admission given to the Government nominees shall not be disturbed awaiting the result of the appeal".
In its order the Division bench of the Principal seat observed that it does not see any case that can be made out against the AG.
The Court ruled, "We do not think it necessary to issue notice under the contempt of Criminal Act to the learned Advocate General of Manipur...".