Acting Syiem is competent to issue NOCs, and existing trade cannot be disturbed pending consideration.

The applicants were traders whose trading licences required renewal. Renewal had been delayed because of a dispute regarding the authority competent to issue the requisite No Objection Certificate (NOC). An earlier NOC had been issued by the Syiem of Sohra, and the Court had previously directed that the applicants obtain the fresh NOC from that office. Subsequently, confusion arose as to whether the NOC should be issued by the Sordar of Majai or by the Syiem of Sohra.

To resolve the deadlock, the Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council issued Notification No. DC.XXVII/Genl/66/2017-2026/191 dated 11 August 2026. By that Notification, the Acting Chief, Sohra Syiemship, was authorised to issue NOCs and other required certificates or documents to residents of Majai, subject to scrutiny, authentication and due diligence.

In view of the Notification, the parties submitted that the connected matters could be disposed of by permitting the applicants to approach the Acting Syiem of Sohra Syiemship.

Whether the applicants should be permitted to obtain the requisite NOCs from the Acting Syiem of Sohra Syiemship for renewal of their trading licences

Whether the applicants’ trading activities should remain protected pending consideration of their NOC applications and consequential action by the District Council authorities

The Court applied the principle that administrative authorities must act in accordance with the competent authority’s operative notification and the directions issued in the earlier proceedings.

The Executive Committee’s Notification dated 11 August 2026 authorised the Acting Chief, Sohra Syiemship, to issue NOCs and other necessary documents to residents of Majai after proper scrutiny, authentication and due diligence.

The Court also applied the principle that pending administrative consideration of applicants’ requests, their existing activities should not be arbitrarily disrupted where the Court has directed consideration of their applications.

The Notification dated 11 August 2026 removed the earlier uncertainty concerning the competent authority to issue the NOCs.

Since the Acting Chief, Sohra Syiemship, had been expressly authorised by the Executive Committee to issue the necessary documents, the Court found that the applicants could directly approach Respondent No. 7 for consideration of their applications.

To preserve the status quo and prevent prejudice while the NOCs were being considered and while the District Council authorities undertook further action, the Court directed that the applicants’ trading activities should not be disturbed in the interim.

The applicants were permitted to approach Respondent No. 7, the Acting Syiem of Sohra Syiemship, for consideration of their NOC applications within four weeks from the date of the judgment.

Pending the decision on the NOCs and consequential action by Respondents 1–4, the applicants’ trading activities were directed not to be disturbed.