M.Pushpalatha v. P.Ponniah Ias

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATE : 04.12.2020

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI Cont.P. No.778 of 2020 M.Pushpalatha .. Petitioner - Vs - 1.Mr.P.Ponniah, I.A.S., District Collector, Kancheepuram District.

2.Mr.A.Jhon Louis, District Collector Chengalpattu District.

.. Respondents Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act praying to punish the 1st respondent for non compliance of the orders of the High Court in W.P.No.33032 of 2019 dated 26.11.2019 and grant such other further relief.

For Petitioner : Mr.K.Venketramani, SC for Mr.M.Muthappan For Respondents : Mr.A.N.Thambidurai, Spl.G.P., 1/4

ORDER

This Contempt Petition has been filed by the petitioner, to punish the respondents herein, for willful disobedience of the order of this Court passed in W.P.No.33032 of 2019 dated 26.11.2019 and grant such other further relief.

2.When the matter is taken up today, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents/contemnors, submitted that due to the pandemic situation, the respondents were unable to comply with the order passed by this Court and, therefore, an extension petition has been filed and seeks extension of time to comply with the order.

3. Per contra, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner vehemently opposed for granting further time, and submitted that this court specifically issued a direction to the respondents to pass order on the explanation of the petitioner dated 05.09.2019 and also directed to conclude the disciplinary proceedings pending against her, which has not been complied with.

4. This Court considered the request made by the learned Special Government Pleader for extension of time. It is to be pointed out that insofar as contempt is concerned, the matter is between the Court and the contemnor. In the case on hand, it is fairly submitted by the learned Special 2/4

Government Pleader that the respondents were unable to pass the order within the time frame fixed by this Court in view of the pandemic situation. This Court is of the considered view that the respondents not resorting to any diversionary tactics, but fairly seeks time to comply with the order, this Court, in the interests of justice, grants a further period of three months from today to comply with the order dated 26.11.2019 in W.P. No.33032/2019. It is made clear that the respondents shall comply with the order in letter and spirit without seeking for any further extension of time, which will be viewed seriously.

3. Accordingly, the Contempt petition is closed with the aforesaid observations and directions.

SD/- ASSISTANT REGISTRAR(COMM.CASES) jrs/gln //Certified to be true copy// Dated at Madras this the day of 2020. COURT OFFICER(O.S.) from 25th day of September 2008 the Registry is issuing Certified copies of the Orders/Judgments/Decrees in this format.

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SMI/15/12/2020 To 1.The District Collector, Kancheepuram District.

2.The District Collector Chengalpattu District.

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