K.Elangovan v. S.Saravanakumar

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 23.03.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA in W.A.(MD)No.1297 of 2022 K.Elangovan ... Petitioner Vs.

1.S.Saravanakumar, The General Manager, Thanjavur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., Thanjavur - 613 006.

2.N.Subbaiyan, I.A.S., The Secretary to Government Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fishermen Welfare Department Fort St.George, Secretariat Chennai - 600 009.

3.A.John Louis, I.A.S., The Special Commissioner Milk Production and Dairy Development Mathavaram Milk Colony Chennai - 600 051.

... Contemnors 1/6

PRAYER : Contempt Petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act 1971, to punish the Contemnors under the Contempt of Courts Act, for willful disobedience in not complying the order of the Writ Court in W.P.(MD)No.4103 of 2014, dated 19.05.2022, even after a lapse of three months time granted by this Court from 19.05.2025, in its judgement delivered in W.A.(MD)No.1297 of 2022, dated 15.09.2025. For Petitioner : Mr.G.Kannan For Contemnors : Mr.G.V.Vairam Santhosh, Addl. Government Pleader for R2 &R3.

Mr.M.Thirunavukkarasu for R1.

ORDER

(By G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner. 2.The petitioner alleges that the order dated 15.09.2025 passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench in W.A.(MD)No.1297 of 2022 has not been complied with and hence, this contempt petition has been filed. 2/6

3.It is seen that the Hon'ble Division Bench had confirmed the order of the learned Single Judge passed in W.P.(MD)No.4103 of 2014 on 19.05.2022. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in a recent decision reported in 2026 INSC 204 (United Labour Federation vs Gagandeep Singh Bedi) has held that the doctrine of merger will not apply to contempt proceedings where the order of the learned Single Judge has been confirmed by the Division Bench. Therefore, we close the present contempt petition and grant liberty to the petitioner to file a fresh contempt petition. The same shall be listed before the learned Single Judge concerned.

(G.R.S. J.,) & (R.P. J.,) 23.03.2026 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No ias To:

1.S.Saravanakumar, The General Manager, Thanjavur District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., Thanjavur - 613 006.

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2.N.Subbaiyan, I.A.S., The Secretary to Government Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fishermen Welfare Department Fort St.George, Secretariat Chennai - 600 009.

3.A.John Louis, I.A.S., The Special Commissioner Milk Production and Dairy Development Mathavaram Milk Colony Chennai - 600 051.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

and R.POORNIMA, J.

ias in W.A.(MD)No.1297 of 2022 23.03.2026 6/6