Ponnu v. Dr.Senthil Kumar Ias

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 09.07.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SHAMIM AHMED I.Ponnu ... Petitioner vs.

1.Dr.P.Senthil Kumar, I.A.S., Principal Secretary to Government, Forest and Environment Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 9.

2.Srinivas R.Reddy, I.F.S., Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, No.1, Jennis Road, Panagal Building, Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

... Respondents PRAYER: Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act to punish the respondents 1 and 2 for contempt of Court for the willful disobedience of the order of this Court made in W.P(MD)No.6644 of 2016, dated 14.03.2019.

For Petitioner :Mr.N.Padmaboopathi For Respondents :Mr.D.Sadiq Raja Additional Government Pleader ***** 1/5

O R D E R

This is a petition seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the respondents for violation of the order, dated 14.03.2019 passed by this Court in W.P.(MD)No.6644 of 2016.

2.Heard Mr.N.Padmaboopathi, learned Counsel for the petitioner and Mr.D.Sadiq Raja, learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents. 3.The Co-ordinate Bench of this Court, vide order, dated 14.03.2019 in W.P.(MD)No.6644 of 2016, had passed the following order:- "8.Following the same, this writ petition is disposed of, directing the respondents to appoint the petitioner in the regular time scale of Forest Watcher by taking into account of his seniority and qualification on par with his juniors, in the light of the earlier orders of this Court, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. "

4.The learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that despite the judgment and order passed by this Court in W.P.(MD)No.6644 of 2016, dated 14.03.2019, the respondents have not complied with the directions of this Court and they have wilfully and deliberately flouting the orders passed by this Court, dated 14.03.2019. Thus, the learned Counsel submits that the respondents should be summoned and punished for committing contempt by exercising the powers under Sections 11 and 12 of the Contempt of Court Act, 1971. 2/5

5.Today, when the matter is taken up, Mr.D.Sadiq Raja, learned Additional Government Pleader, who accepted notice on behalf of the respondents, in compliance of the order passed by this Court, dated 14.03.2019, produced a compliance affidavit along with an order, dated 09.05.2025 passed by the first respondent. The order passed by the first respondent, dated 09.05.2025 is taken on record. A copy of the order passed by the first respondent, has also been given to the learned Counsel for the petitioner. Thus, the learned Additional Government Pleader submits that as the judgment and order passed by this Court has been fully complied with by the respondents, the respondents may be discharged from the present contempt proceedings and the present Contempt Petition may be disposed of. 6.Mr.N.

Padmaboopathi, learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that he also received the copy of the order passed by the first respondent, dated 09.05.2025 and submits that the respondents have made complied with the judgment and order passed by this Court 14.03.2019 passed in W.P.(MD)No. 6644 of 2016. Thus, he submits that he has no objection that the respondents may be discharged from the present contempt proceedings and the Contempt Petition may be disposed of.

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7.After considering the arguments, as advanced by the learned Counsel for the parties and after perusal of the order passed by this Court in W.P.(MD)No. 6644 of 2019, dated 14.03.2019 and the order passed by the first respondent, dated 09.05.2025, this Court is also satisfied that the respondents have made fully complied with the directions issued by this Court and no useful purpose will be served in continuing the present contempt proceedings any further. Accordingly, the respondents are discharged from the present contempt proceedings and the present Contempt Petition is disposed of. The file is consigned to record. No order as to costs.

Index :Yes / No 09.07.2025 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Forest and Environment Department, Fort St.George, Chennai - 9.

2.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, No.1, Jennis Road, Panagal Building, Saidapet, Chennai - 600 015.

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SHAMIM AHMED, J.

cmr 09.07.2025 5/5