Philip Khrawbok Shati vs . State Of Meghalaya & Ors on 14 August, 2025

Meghalaya High Court

Philip Khrawbok Shati vs . State Of Meghalaya & Ors on 14 August, 2025

Author: W. Diengdoh

Bench: W. Diengdoh

Serial No.01          HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA
Daily List                   AT SHILLONG

     PIL No.17/2021 with
     MC(PIL) No.1/2025
     MC(PIL) No.3/2025
     PIL No.9/2024
                                                  Date of order: 14.08.2025
     Philip Khrawbok Shati              vs. State of Meghalaya & ors
     Meghalaya and Greater Shillong
     Progressive Hawkers and Street     vs. Andrew Aibok Jyrwa & ors
     Vendors Association
     Rupert Raymond Theodore Wankhar vs. Andrew Aibok Jyrwa
     Andrew Aibok Jyrwa              vs. The State of Meghalaya & ors
     Coram:
            Hon'ble Mr. Justice I.P. Mukerji, Chief Justice
            Hon'ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge

     Appearance in PIL No. 17/2021:
     For the Petitioner  :     Mr. T. Dkhar, Adv.
     For the Respondents :     Mr. A.H. Kharwanlang, Addl Sr.GA

Mr. S. Dey, Adv.

Appearance in MC (PIL) No. 1/2025:

     For the Applicant     :   Mr. P. Yobin, Adv.
     For the Respondents :     Mr. N. Syngkon, Adv.
     Appearance in MC (PIL) No.3/2025:
     For the Applicant     :   Ms. S. Shyam, Adv.
     For the Respondent    :   Mr. N. Syngkon, Adv.
     Appearance in PIL No. 9/2024:

For the Petitioners : Mr. N. Syngkon, Adv. with
For the Respondents : Mrs. T. Yangi B., AAG with
Mr. K.P. Bhattacharjee, GA
Mr. S. Dey, Adv.

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 i)     Whether approved for                       Yes/No
       reporting in Law journals etc.:
ii)    Whether approved for publication           Yes
       in press:

Note: For proper public information and transparency, any media
reporting this judgment is directed to mention the composition of
the bench by name of judges, while reporting this
judgment/order.

This is an application by Seng Samla Laitumkhrah “Ieng Skhem

Ha Ka Hok” a registered society, to be added as a party in the public

interest litigation [PIL No.9 of 2024]. In this application it is stated that

this society is a “Seng Samla” within the meaning of Section 2(x) of the

Khasi Hills Autonomous District (Administration of Elaka)

(Amendment) Act, 2023 and is a registered society under the Societies

Registration Act.

It expresses great concern over unlawful or unauthorised

vending by hawkers in the Laitumkhrah area of Shillong.

It wants reach of the orders passed by this Court in clearing

some areas of the city of unlicensed hawkers, namely Police Bazar to

extend to Laitumkhrah by evicting the unlicensed vendors from the

roads and footpaths making them encumbrance free, cleaner, convenient

and safe for pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

The impleadment of the applicant is opposed by the petitioner,

the Hawkers Association and learned Advocate for the State on the
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ground that the Court has in this public interest litigation [PIL No.9 of

2024] already taken cognizance of this malady in all the thoroughfares

of Shillong. The scope of the writ covers the entire city.

According to Mrs. Tangi B., learned Additional Advocate

General, the work that has been done by the State agency in the Police

Bazar area would be carried forward to other areas also stage by stage.

There is no necessity of further parties and entities being involved in the

public interest litigation as that might complicate matters.

We have also considered the submission of learned counsel for

the applicant that the applicant society represents the youth of the area

Laitumkhrah. The members of the society are active citizens of the State

and are deeply interested in the upkeep of the roads, streets and

footpaths in the said area.

We pass the following order:

We direct the Shillong Municipal Board to file a report in this

Court with regard to the number of vending licenses issued for the

purpose of street vending along with the names of the licencees in the

Laitumkhrah area. The Board is also directed to make an inspection,

make an enquiry and state in the report the names and number of the

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vendors who are vending merchandise without licences in that area.

Such report should be filed in this Court by 28th August, 2025.

List the main PIL along with this application on 29 th August,

2025.

For the time being, the applicant Seng Samla Laitumkhrah is

allowed to participate in the proceedings by its presence only, without

being added as a party. The question of its being added as a party

respondent will be considered on the adjourned date. A copy of the

report be circulated to all appearing counsel.

Written submission on behalf of the Hawkers Association

submitted by Mr. Yobin, learned Advocate is taken on record.

         (W. Diengdoh)                               (I.P. Mukerji)
             Judge                                    Chief Justice




Meghalaya
14.08.2025
"Lam DR-PS"




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