Court stayed earlier order for closure of 7 Polytechnic building in Lunglei

In a significant development, the district court in Lunglei judicial district has temporarily stayed its earlier order for closure of 7 buildings of the Mizoram Polytechnic Lunglei. The decision comes in light of impending term-end examinations and the potential adverse impact on students’ academic prospects. Civil Judge Lalthansiami Hnamte issued the interim stay order on Tuesday while hearing a Civil Miscellaneous Application filed by the state government. The application, presented by Additional Government Advocate (AGA) Lalramthlenga, sought a 90-day stay on the attachment order passed on November 7, citing plans to file a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court. The AGA argued that the scheduled term-end examinations for first, third, and fifth-semester students, beginning November 13 and continuing until December 13, would be severely disrupted if the Polytechnic’s buildings were locked. Additionally, the Mizoram Polytechnic Lunglei is set to host examinations for Medical Laboratory Technology and a Diploma in Computer Application, involving students from across the region.

Highlighting the students’ plight, the court noted that many come from villages and towns outside Lunglei and have invested substantial resources to pursue their education. The attachment during examinations, it stated, could cause irreparable harm to their careers. “As an interim measure, considering the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the attachment of the buildings of the Mizoram Polytechnic Lunglei ordered vide order dated 07.11.2024 shall not be carried out until further order so as to enable the enrolled students to write their term-end examination in the interest of natural justice,” the order read. The November 7 attachment order stemmed from a dispute over unpaid rental charges amounting to Rs. 98,05,033 for the land and buildings occupied by the Polytechnic. The original judgment, passed by the Senior Civil Judge of Lunglei in January 2022, directed the government to pay the dues to landowner Vanlaldawngliana of Theiriat.

The Gauhati High Court dismissed an appeal by the government on October 1, 2024, citing a 686-day delay in filing. Subsequently, the district court ordered the closure of the Polytechnic on November 7, directing the Lunglei Police to lock its buildings on or before November 12. The state government now plans to challenge the High Court’s dismissal by filing an SLP with the Supreme Court. The interim relief granted by the court ensures that the Polytechnic can continue functioning as an examination centre while legal proceedings continue.