HIGH COURT OF MEGHALAYA AT SHILLONG MC (PIL) No. 9 of 2025 In PIL No. 5 of 2025 Date of order: 13.11.2025 Ka Seng Khihlang Shillong vs Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai & ors Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai vs The State of Meghalaya & ors Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Soumen Sen, Chief Justice Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.S.Thangkhiew, Judge Appearance in MC (PIL) No.9/2025: For the Applicant : Mr. S.P. Mahanta, Sr.Adv with Mr. T. Dkhar, Adv For the respondents : Mr. N. Syngkon, Adv for R/1 Mr. Amit Kumar, Advocate General with Ms. R. Colney, GA Mr. T.T. Diengdoh, Sr.Adv with Mr. J.K. Pariat, Adv for R/4 Appearance in PIL No.5/2025: For the petitioner : Mr. N. Syngkon, Adv For the respondents : Mr. Amit Kumar, Advocate General with Ms. R. Colney, GA Mr. T.T. Diengdoh, Sr.Adv with Mr. J.K. Pariat, Adv for R/3 An application has been filed by Ka Seng Khihlang Shillong for addition of party. It is submitted that the applicant is a necessary party as any decision in this public interest litigation (PIL) is likely to affect the custom and usage prevailing in the State of Meghalaya with regard to the use of surname. It is further stated that if the father’s title is given to the children as tried to be claimed in the PIL, the same may amount as a curse/forbidden/restricted to the family (clan) in khasi terms as “Sang” (Taboo). Serial No. 01 Daily List 2025:MLHC:1089-DB The learned counsel for the petitioner in all fairness has not opposed the prayer for impleadment considering the nature of the issues involved to be decided in this PIL. The application [MC (PIL) No.9 of 2025] for addition of party is allowed. The applicant shall be added as respondent No.17. A copy of the writ petition shall be served upon Mr. T. Dkhar, Advocate-on-Record for the applicant in the course of this week. The learned counsel for the respondent No.3 in the main PIL has prayed for extension of time to file the affidavit in terms of the order dated 14.10.2025. The added respondent and the respondent No.3 shall file their affidavits within three weeks from date; reply thereto, if any, by 31.01.2026. The matter shall be listed on 04.02.2026. The parties are directed to file their written notes of argument in the meantime. (H.S.Thangkhiew) (Soumen Sen) Judge Chief Justice 2025:MLHC:1089-DB Digitally signed by SYLVANA LIZ KHARBHIH Date: 2025.11.13 19:03:15 IST