Meghalaya High Court Schedules March 11 Hearing on Heritage Conservation Plea

The High Court of Meghalaya is scheduled to address the preservation of heritage sites, including the Laban Circuit House, on March 11. A Division Bench, consisting of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W. Diengdoh, convened to deliberate on a public interest litigation (PIL) and instructed the State Heritage Committee to submit an affidavit within two weeks, detailing the identification and protection of historical properties. This directive follows a request from the Additional Advocate General for an extension to comply with a previous court order from December 4, 2025, which mandated the Heritage Committee to provide a report regarding buildings, artifacts, and structures protected under the Meghalaya Heritage Act, 2012, as well as the measures undertaken for their restoration and preservation.

The court’s initial order came after a PIL that challenged the potential demolition of Bidhan Chandra Roy’s house in Shillong, which currently serves as a circuit house. The High Court had previously instructed authorities to compile a comprehensive report regarding the state’s heritage buildings and notable sites, particularly in light of the court’s concerns about heritage conservation as indicative of a civilization’s culture. The bench highlighted the importance of preserving such sites for future generations.

Bidhan Chandra Roy’s residence, which is claimed to have historical significance, is at the center of the ongoing litigation brought forth by Malabika Bisharad and is being reviewed by Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice H. S. Thangkhiew. The court noted the necessity for a thorough examination of the heritage status of the house, especially considering its historical relevance. Advocate General Amit Kumar requested additional time to compile comprehensive historical data regarding the building’s significance and its condition. The High Court granted an extension until February 5 of the following year for the submission of this affidavit while mandating that the current state of the building be preserved during this period.

Malabika thanked the court for its attentiveness to the matter, asserting the deep historical significance of the house, which is connected to notable figures such as Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. She expressed optimism that the court would reach a favorable outcome soon, ensuring the preservation of heritage sites across Shillong for public benefit.