Shillong: The High Court of Meghalaya has raised serious concerns over the “contemptuous” demolition of the 123-year-old St. Anthony’s Lower Primary School building by the school’s management, despite a court order to assess the building’s historical significance.
The court’s strong response stems from the blatant disregard shown by the school authorities for its December 9, 2024, directive, which mandated an inspection of the building prior to any demolition.
The case came before the court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which argued that the school building, an Assam-type colonial structure, held significant architectural and historical value that warranted consideration for heritage protection.
Despite this ongoing legal review, the school proceeded with the demolition.
In response, the court issued a notice to the school authorities, the petitioner, and the state to assess whether the building should be preserved as a heritage site or if the demolition should be halted.
On December 9, 2024, the court had directed the state government to inspect the building under the Meghalaya Heritage Act of 2012 and submit a report.
While the court refrained from issuing a formal injunction against the demolition, it anticipated that the school would respect the legal process and suspend any further demolition while the inspection was ongoing.
The court expressed its deep dissatisfaction upon learning that the school continued with the demolition, showing utter disregard for the judicial process.
The inspection, carried out on December 16, 2024, confirmed the school’s strategic location overlooking Don Bosco Square, a prominent public area in Shillong.
While the report concluded that the building itself did not meet the criteria for heritage status, it recommended listing the building as a heritage site due to its significance when viewed in the context of the square and the statue of Don Bosco.
Despite this finding, the court emphasised that the building was still in existence on December 16, highlighting the irreversibility of the demolition that had taken place afterward.
The court’s alarm deepened when the school’s counsel informed the bench that the building had already been demolished.
The judges remarked, “Therefore, nothing remains of this PIL, and it has been effectively destroyed by the school authority even before its consideration by the court.”
Although no formal order had been issued to prevent the demolition, the court deemed the school’s actions a direct challenge to its authority and an interference with the administration of justice, constituting criminal contempt.
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In response to this blatant act of defiance, the court issued a contempt notice to the management of Don Bosco Technical School, citing the Contempt of Courts (High Court of Meghalaya) Rules, 2013.
The school’s leaders—Sagi Stephen, Parappilly Arcadius, Puwein Edmund Gomes, Dianetius Fernandez, and Cyril Tirkey—were ordered to appear before the court on February 24 to explain why they should not face punishment for contempt of court.
As an interim measure to prevent further acts of contempt, the court also issued a strict order prohibiting any further demolition, construction, or alteration of the school building until further notice.
Local police authorities were instructed to ensure strict compliance with the court’s order, underscoring the gravity with which the court views this violation of its authority.
