Page 69 - High_Court_Of_Sikkim_Museum_ebook_Final_2024

 The procedures for sitting, quorum were also laid out.
 Jurisdictions were also defined.
 No Magistrate was allowed to sit or hear any case in which he or any of his
relatives was interested in any way.
 The Tashildar were to have supervisory power over the Honorary Court and
were required to submit reports to the Dewans.

 Revisional powers were given to the Chief Judge and the Dewan.
7 June, 1953 Justice M.P.Asthana came to Sikkim and assumed charge as Judge, High
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Court of Judicature at Gangtok.
31 July, 1953 M.P. Asthana, Judge of High Court of Judicature at Gangtok. Salary at Rs.
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600/- pm
1953-55 Justice M.P. Asthana presided over the High Court of Judicature at Gangtok

and rendered many judgments.
4 Feb, 1954 J.S.Lall, the Dewan of Sikkim in his Address stated:-
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“The separation of the judiciary from the executive, was also achieved during
the year. Your Highness has established a High Court of Judicature presided
over by a judge of great discernment and experience. A penal code has
been adopted and measures are being taken to codify the customary laws
of the people..... The establishment of this court has relieved the Dewan of a
heavy burden”.
9 September, Sikkim State, Home Department Notification signed by N.K.Rustomji, I.C.S.,
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1954 Dewan Sikkim State by which it was notified that Criminal and Civil Appeal
from Courts subordinate to the Court of the Chief Magistrate would be filed in
the High Court in partial modification to order no S/331 dated 21 Oct, 1953.
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17 April, 1955  Although Justice M.P.Asthana had assumed charge as Judge, High Court of
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Judicature at Gangtok from 7th June 1953 it was realized that the High
Court had not yet been established and thus a Proclamation titled “High
Court of Judicature (Jurisdiction and Powers) Proclamation of 1955” was
issued by His Highness Shri Tashi Namgyal, the Maharaja of Sikkim.
 The Maharaja’s prerogative of mercy and pardon and his powers of

remission, commutation and reduction of sentence were kept intact. The
Maharaja also retained his prerogative to set up and special tribunal for the
review of any case, civil or criminal, provided that the President of such
tribunal shall be a judicial officer of the status of a High Court Judge and
provided further that such prerogative shall be exercised in only very special
cases where, in the opinion of the Maharaja there may be apprehension of
miscarriage of justice.

2 July, 1957 H.H. the Maharaja of Sikkim was pleased to vest the Chief Magistrate with
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powers to try cases summarily.
30 August, 1963 Government of Sikkim Notification by which H.H. Maharaja was pleased to
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