IMPHAL, January 21: The final hearing of the land encroachment case within the RIMS campus, construction of churches, has been fixed next week, by a division bench comprising of Chief Justice Laxmikant Mohapatra and Justice Kh Nobin, High Court of Manipur.
The PIL (No. 19 of 2013) filed by Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam, was heard today before the division bench after a long gap.
During today`™s hearing the counsel of the petitioner, Th Manihar, pleaded the bench to initiate the final hearing of the case underlining that relevant statements including the affidavit and counter affidavit have been submitted from both sides.
However, the advocate general, Th Ibohal, counsel of the respondents pleaded the court to give more time on the ground to appoint new counsel for RIMS.
Advocate Nirmolchand, who earlier appeared on behalf of the respondents no. 3 and 4 (director and deputy director RIMS) no longer represent the latter since the removal of RIMS director Shekarjit.
Having heard both the counsel, the court fixed the final hearing after a week.
It may be recalled that Dr Khomdon Singh Lisam, a resident of southern palace compound, Palace road Imphal filed a PIL before the court (no. 19 of 2013) in connection with the case referring to Supreme Court`™s ruling against erection of religious structure on educational institute owned by the Government.
Subsequently, the case was first heard on October 28, 2013 by the division bench comprising of the then Chief Justice, LK Mohapatra and Justice N Kotishwar of High Court of Manipur.
During the hearing the bench directed the respondents to submit a counter affidavit in connection with the PIL returnable within two weeks time. However, the case has been deferring on many occasion since.
The respondents of the case are state of Manipur represented by chief secretary, government of Manipur, Union of India represented Union Health Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) represented by director of RIMS, deputy director RIMS. commissioner (Revenue) Government of Manipur, deputy commissioner , Imphal West, deputy settlement officer (Admn), survey and settlement officer, Directorate of Settlement and Land Revenue, Popular Pisciculture Association of Manipur, Lamphel Rongmei Baptist Church and Lamphel Baptist Church.