Bombay High CourtCP/15/2023disposed of

Vivek Anand Lopes Da Graca Pinto v. Diksha Namdev Tari Undersecretary Ii, And 2 ORS

2023-12-12Hon'Ble Shri Justice M. S. Sonak,Hon'Ble Shri Justice Valmiki Menezes2 pages

CP 15 of 2023 Santosh

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA

CONTEMPT PETITION NO.15 OF 2023 IN WRIT PETITION NO.824 OF 2019 VIVEK ANAND LOPES DA GRACA PINTO ... PETITIONER

Versus

DIKSHA NAMDEV TARI UNDERSECRETARY II, AND 2 ORS ... RESPONDENTS Mr T. George John, Advocate for the Petitioner. Mr S. Karpe, Central Govt. Standing Counsel with Mr Anand Shirodkar, Advocate for the Respondents.

CORAM:- M. S. SONAK & VALMIKI SA MENEZES, JJ.

DATED :- 12th December, 2023 P.C.:

1. By our order dated 2/3/2022, we had recorded a statement made on behalf of the Standing Counsel for the Central Government that the Petitioner's application for grant of Indian citizenship would be disposed of within four weeks.

2. Neither was the application disposed of nor did the concerned officials deem it necessary to apply for an extension of time. The Petitioner was, therefore, forced to institute this contempt petition.

3. After the notice was issued in the contempt petition, Mr Karpe, learned Standing Counsel for the Central Government has 12th December, 2023

CP 15 of 2023 produced before us a communication dated 9/2/2023, which disposes of the Petitioner's application. A copy of this communication is also furnished to Mr T. George John, learned Counsel for the Petitioner.

4. Mr Karpe, on instructions, states that the Officials tender their apology to the Court for the delay in disposing of the Petitioner's application. Mr Karpe submits that it was not the intention of the Officials to disobey the order of this Court. For some administrative reasons, as also due to some communication gap, the application could not be disposed of within the prescribed period. He also pointed out that the Standing Counsel, at that time, unfortunately passed away.

5. Considering the above explanation and the apology, we discharge the contempt notice. If the Petitioner has any grievance against the communication dated 9/2/2023, the Petitioner is free to challenge the same in accord with law.

6. The contempt petition is disposed of. VALMIKI SA MENEZES, J.

M. S. SONAK, J.

12th December, 2023