Shri Bhagwan v. K.C. Meena

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT

CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 21.04.2026 Shri Bhagwan ... Petitioner

Versus

K.C. Meena ... Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKRAM AGGARWAL

Present:

Mr. Sandeep Thakan, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. Tarun Aggarwal, Addl. AG, Haryana.

*** VIKRAM AGGARWAL, J. (ORAL) On 09.04.2026, the following order was passed:- "On 10.03.2026, the following order was passed: "Learned State counsel seeks yet another opportunity to submit response. The contempt petition alleges willful disobedience of the order dated 08.07.2025 passed in CWP18589-2025. Notice of motion was issued on 23.12.2025 and learned State counsel had accepted notice and had also prayed for some time to seek instructions/submit response. The case was adjourned on 22.01.2026, when again a request for adjournment had been made by learned State counsel. Under the circumstances, the matter was adjourned for today giving almost two months to the State to submit its response. However, today again a request for adjournment has been made stating that neither any instruction nor any response has been received.

There is no justification for granting any further adjournment. However, purely in the interest of justice, one last opportunity is granted to learned State counsel to seek instructions/submit response, failing which, on the date fixed, the respondent shall remain present in person in Court. List on 09.04.2026."

Today, learned State counsel prays for yet another adjournment to submit response. Further, despite orders having been passed by this Court, the respondent is not present in Court. On a query having been put forth by the Court as regards absence of the respondent, learned State counsel has no explanation to offer.

That being so, bailable warrants in the sum of Rs. 15,000/- be issued to procure the presence of the respondent. It is also manifestly clear that there is willful disobedience on the part of the respondent insofar as compliance of order dated 10.03.2026 is concerned.

Consequently, on the date fixed, charges shall be framed against the respondents for willful disobedience of the directions issued by this Court.

Adjourned to 21.04.2026.

To be shown in the urgents."

2.

In compliance thereof, Mr. K.C. Meena, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Haryana, is present in person. Compliance report by way of his affidavit has been filed in the Court today, which is taken on record. A copy thereof has been furnished to learned counsel for the petitioner.

3.

Paragraphs 4 to 6 of the said compliance report state as under:- "4.

That in compliance of order dated 08.07.2025 passed in CWP No. 18589 of 2025, the legal notice dated 11.04.2025 was considered, a speaking order dated 10.04.2026 was passed vide which the objections raised by the petitioner were found to be untenable and rejected. The copy of the speaking order dated 10.04.2026 is annexed herewith as Annexure R-1. Therefore, the order dated 08.07.2025 has been duly complied with. 5.

That it is respectfully submitted that there has been no wilful or intentional disobedience of the order passed by this Hon'ble Court. However, certain administrative and procedural steps, necessary for proper adjudication of the matter, occasioned some delay, which is explained herein below:- a) That upon receipt of the legal notice and the

order of this Hon'ble Court, the matter was initiated for consideration at the level of the answering respondent. b) That since the subject matter involved required inputs/comments from the office of the Conservator of Forests (Publicity and Training), the same were duly called for. c) That there was delay in receipt of the requisite comments from the concerned office, which were essential for taking an informed and reasoned decision in the matter. d) That thereafter, a meeting was convened on 10.02.2026 to deliberate upon the issues raised in the legal notice and to examine the matter comprehensively. e) That subsequent to the said meeting, the matter remained under active consideration before the competent authority, involving due application of mind and examination of the records.

f) That upon completion of the said process, a speaking and reasoned order dated 10.04.2026 was passed, whereby the claim of the petitioner was duly considered and rejected on merits.

6.

That the deponent tenders unconditional apology regarding the delay caused while passing the speaking order dated 10.04.2026 and it is highly regretted that due to inaction on the part of officials of O/o the deponent, the petitioner had to suffer. It is further submitted that after convening the meeting on dated 10.02.2026, the file was lying pending before the dealing assistant since then. On perusal of case record it reveals that there has been unexplained delay of two months in dealing of the case, for which show cause notice has been issued to Sh. Manjeet Singh, Assistant vide separate letter dated 15.04.2026. Due to above act and conduct of the above mentioned officials, the said delay was caused in passing of speaking order which is highly regretted. The copy of show cause notice dated 15.04.2026 is annexed herewith as Annexure R-2."

4.

Since the order of the Writ Court stands complied with and the reasons for the delay in compliance of the said order have been satisfactorily

given in the affidavit, no orders are required to be passed by this Court. The instant contempt petition is accordingly disposed of. 5.

The petitioner may, however, if so advised, avail all such remedies as shall be admissible in law against the speaking order (Annexure R-1).

6.

Rule is discharged.

Pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of. ( VIKRAM AGGARWAL ) JUDGE April 21, 2026 Rajan Whether speaking / reasoned:

Yes/No Whether Reportable:

Yes/No