JUDGMENT :

H.S. Thangkhiew, J.

1. These two matters being similar in nature will be dealt and disposed of by this common order.

2. The petitioner WP(C) 216 of 2019 Shri Rakban G. Momin was appointed as Lecturer in the Department of Garo, Mendipathar College, East Garo Hills, Meghalaya w.e.f. 27.07.2010.

3. The petitioner in WP(C) 217 of 2019 Shri Thangkan Ch. Marak was appointed as Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, Mendipathar College, East Garo Hills, Meghalaya w.e.f. 21.02.2012.

4. On 10.4.2019, a complaint was lodged before the District Election Officer, and Assistant Returning Officer, North Garo Hills District, Resubelpara by the President of the Nationalist Peoples Party, Youth Front against the petitioners alleging therein that the petitioners had made derogatory comments on social media against the NPP candidate and that the petitioners were directly involved and had encouraged the voters to vote for the Congress Party. Thereafter, the OC Mendipathar PS registered the said complaint as Mendipathar P.S. Case No. 16 (04) 2019 u/s. 153A, 500, 501, 505(c) IPC on 14.4.2019 and notice were issued to the petitioners to appear before the OC Mendipathar on 17.04.2019 in connectio