S.Thangayee v. Mr. Gopala Krishnan
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 12.02.2025
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN S.Thangayee ..
Petitioner Vs Gopala Krishnan The Tahsildar, Sankarapuram & Taluk, Kallakurichi District.
..
Respondent PRAYER : Petition filed under section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, to commit and punish the respondent for committing gross contempt of this Court by deliberately, wantonly and intentionally disobeying the order of this Court made in W.P.No.29345 of 2023 dated 10.10.2023. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Elumalai For Respondent : Mr.A.Selvendran Special Government Pleader Page No.1/5
O R D E R
This contempt petition has been filed for non-compliance of the order made in W.P.No.29345 of 2023 dated 10.10.2023.
2. Learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondent submitted that the respondent had complied with the order dated 10.10.2023 passed in W.P.No.29345 of 2023, by issuing proceedings on 07.02.2025. He has also produced a copy of the said proceedings vide e/f/m4/1729/2019 to that effect.
3. It is seen that the order of this Court was complied with only after the contempt proceedings was initiated. This is not the first case, in most of the cases, only after filing of the contempt petition and on service of notice in the contempt petition, the Authority concerned are complying with the directions of this Court. This attitude of the Authorities concerned is highly condemnable.
4. Before parting with this case, it is expected that the Authorities Page No.2/5
concerned should respond to any compliant, application, or representation from the public with a reasonable time, in accordance with law when the public approaches the respondents/Government Officials with the genuine expectation that their concerns will be addressed in a timely and efficient manner. However, in many instances, persistent delays in considering such representations compel the public to seek judicial intervention. Had these representations been dealt with promptly, the parties would not have to approach this Court. Therefore, it is imperative that, whenever a representation is made, the Authorities are directed to consider and respond to it without undue delay.
The continuous failure to address public grievances in a timely manner not only causes unnecessary hardship and frustration for the individuals involved, but also undermines the efficiency and credibility of public administration. This Court expects that such delays shall be avoided in future, so that citizens can get timely responses from the Government authorities, rather than resorting to legal action. Hereinafter, the Authorities concerned are directed to comply with the directions of this Court in its letter-and-spirit, failing which, this Court will take serious action against those erring officials. Further, if any order is passed by the Page No.
officials after the filing of the contempt petition, the same will not be considered by this Court.
5. Accordingly, this contempt petition stands closed. If the petitioner is aggrieved by the said proceedings issued by the respondent, it is left open for the petitioner to challenge the same in accordance with law.
6. The Registry is directed to send a copy of this order to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai, who in turn shall issue necessary proceedings to all the Government officials for strict compliance of the orders that would be passed. 12.02.2025 ms To
1. The Tahsildar, Sankarapuram & Taluk, Kallakurichi District.
Copy to :
The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai.
Page No.4/5
P.VELMURUGAN, J.
ms 12.02.2025 Page No.5/5