DIMAPUR, Dec 11 - Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has stayed the order of Judicial Magistrate (First Class), Kohima summoning Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang to appear in person before the court on January 7 next for hearing on his educational qualification issue. The High Court also listed the case for hearing on January 20.
The case relates to filing of �false declaration� by TR Zeliang in his affidavit while submitting nomination form to the Returning Officer during 2013 Assembly elections.
In the affidavit, Zeliang had claimed to have passed the BA exams from Kohima College, but records showed that he has failed the exam in 1979 and did not re-appear in 1980.
Following the stay order yesterday, the Chief Minister had questioned the legality and authority of the Magistrate to issue summons when the matter had earlier been rejected by the higher court since it was being looked into by the police, the media cell of CMO said.
�Today�s dismissal of the case may set all the speculations at rest since there was no false document provided to the ECI on the part of the Chief Minister,� the CMO said.
Earlier last month, the High Court had dismissed the petition for directing the police to register FIR in the case and after the dismissal of the writ petition by the court, the matter was taken to Raj Bhavan demanding an impartial inquiry.
While the matter was in consideration, the CMO said the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) was then approached by the counsels for the complainant after which the lower court issued an order summoning the Chief Minister to appear in person before the court on January 7 next year.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Zeliang said he was ready to face legal battle if they so desired, instead of making all those cheap media war. Stating he had not issued any clarification or rejoinder to various allegations, Zeliang said he was prepared to face any court of law for justice.
Meanwhile, NPF legislature party, which held a meeting at the CM�s banquet hall on December 10, has reaffirmed its full support to the leadership of Zeliang.
