Delhi HC stays Meghalaya women’s panel order to summon Delhi Golf Club secretary

On June 25, Tailin Lyngdoh, hailing from a scheduled tribe, was in a traditional Khasi dress, the jainsem, when she asked to leave the club where she was dining with a family.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the Meghalaya State Commission for Women’s (MSCW) order summoning the Delhi Golf Club secretary over the incident involving a Khasi woman being asked to leave the premier club allegedly because of her attire.

On June 25, Tailin Lyngdoh, hailing from a scheduled tribe, was in a traditional Khasi dress, the jainsem, when she asked to leave the club where she was dining with a family.

Justice Vibhu Bakhru also sought response from Meghalaya women’s commission by September 8, the next date of hearing, on a petition filed by the Delhi Golf Club challenging the commission’s July 3 order.

“Prima facie, this court finds merit in the submissions of the counsel for the petitioner (the Delhi Golf Club). Consequently, the notice is stayed till further order of this court,” the High Curt said.

The commission had directed the secretary of the club to appear in person before it on July 14.

Challenging the commission’s order, the club said that the commission in Meghalaya did not have jurisdiction to issue such direction on an incident, which had happened outside that state.

The commission acted upon a complaint made by Tailin Lyngdoh, a governess, who accused the club and its members of allowing racial profiling of people, which was tantamount to racial discrimination of tribal people, which is a punishable offence.

Last week, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) also issued a notice to the Delhi Golf Club.