R.Karmegavannan v. Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru Ias And 2 Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 13-03-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T. VINOD KUMAR R.Karmegavannan Petitioner Vs Thiru.Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru I.A.S., The Chairman, Board of Management - SETC and State Transport Undertakings, Principal Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai-9.

2.Thiru.R.Mohan, The Managing Director, State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu) Limited (SETC), Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002.

3.Thiru.Jerolin Lisbon Singh, The General Manager, State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu) Limited (SETC), Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002.

Contemnors PRAYER This Contempt Petition has been filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, seeking to punish the respondents herein for committing Contempt of Court for not obeying the order passed by this Court in W.P.No.23284 of 2016 dated 25.03.2024.

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For Petitioner:

Mr.D.Soundar Raj

ORDER

This contempt petition is filed for not complying with the order dated 25.03.2024 in W.P.No.23284 of 2016, whereby, this Court had directed the respondents to consider the qualification of the petitioner viz., AIME as equivalent to that of B.E.Degree and to pass appropriate orders within a period of ten (10) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order.

2. On behalf of the petitioner, it is contended that despite this Court directing the respondents to consider the qualification of the petitioner viz., AIME as equivalent to that of B.E.Degree and pass appropriate orders within a period of ten weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order, the respondents did not comply with the order and wilfully disobeyed the order.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that despite the petitioner following up the matter with the respondents, the respondents kept the issue pending and as such, the petitioner was constrained to file the present contempt case on 10.02.2026.

4. I have taken note of the aforesaid submission made on behalf of the petitioner.

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5. At the outset, it is to be noted that Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 prescribes limitation of one year for initiating contempt proceedings.

6. This Court by order dated 28.11.2025 in Cont.P.Nos.2599 and 3033 of 2025 and Cont.P.No.2706 of 2025, dated 12.09.2025, had considered the scope of Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 (in short 'Act 1971') and Article 215 of the Constitution of India, and also as to what would be constitute continuing cause of action.

7. This Court having regard to the law declared by the Hon'ble Apex Court, has held that Section 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, being a specific provision, the contempt petition has to be filed within one year when the cause of action arises.

8. In the facts of the present case, the cause of action for the petitioner to initiate action for contempt had arisen on expiry of ten weeks granted by this Court from the date of receipt of a copy of the order dated 25.03.2024. The petitioner not only did not take steps thereafter within time prescribed under the Contempt of Courts Act, but remained silent for a considerable length 3/6

of time and approached this Court by filing the present contempt case nearly 1 1⁄2 years later.

9. Having regard to the decision of the Hon'ble Apex Court and this Court, the present contempt petition cannot be entertained as having been filed beyond the limitation prescribed under the Act, 1971.

10. Accordingly, this Contempt Petition is dismissed. 13-03-2026 vum Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order 4/6

To 1.Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru IAS The Chairman, Board of Management - SETC and State Transport Undertakings, Principal Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Secretariat, Fort St.

George, Chennai-9 2.R.Mohan The Managing Director State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu) Limited (SETC), Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002 3.Jerolin Lisbon Singh The General Manager State Express Transport Corporation (Tamil Nadu) Limited (SETC), Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002 5/6

T.VINOD KUMAR J.

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