Guwahati, Nov. 21: A last-minute pledge of personal appearance by standing counsel H.K. Medhi of the NC Hills Autonomous District Council today saw Justice (retd) R.K. Manisana Singh put off his decision to issue arrest warrants against chief executive member of the council D. Hojai, its executive member M. Hojai and sitting council member Prakanta Warisa.

Having learnt that the commission — probing the alleged nexus between the banned DHD (J) and the ruling ASDC-BJP combine in the council as well as diversion of government funds to the outfit’s coffer — has started the process of issuing the warrants, Medhi pledged before it that the trio would appear tomorrow.

Justice (retd) Singh said the commitment given by the trio through the standing counsel was a positive development and their appearance would only help them as there were several allegations against the three.

During the day, three persons deposed before the one-man inquiry commission.

Two of them appeared for two firms that claimed to have been duped of nearly Rs 7.5 crore by a businessman.

Sources said the businessman had entered into a contract with the council for extraction of bamboo from areas under the council and another with Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd to supply bamboo.