District council courts to follow sixth schedule provisions as state notifies Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita

Shillong, July 14: The state government has notified that the District Council courts shall continue to derive powers under paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India in the context of application of the provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to the courts in Meghalaya from July 1.

The notification issued by the law department  on June 26 said, “In exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (2) of Section 1 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), the Governor of Meghalaya is pleased to apply the provision of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to the Courts in the State of Meghalaya with effect from 1st of July, 2024. The District Council Courts shall continue to derive powers under paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India”.

Last week, the KHADC MDCs debated on the new criminal laws and the opinion of the House was to institute a special committee to take up issues relating to the non-application of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in district councils.

Independent MDC Bindo Lanong had moved a motion in this regard.