Sonadi Mejhian v. Eastern Coalfields Ltd. And ORS.

24.04.2026 Court No.23 DL/Item No.-2 [Milan, A.R. (Ct.)]

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

Special Civil Jurisdiction Appellate Side CPAN 180 of 2026 Sonadi Mejhian versus Mr. Satish Jha & Ors.

In WPA 19456 of 2024 Mr. Apurba Kumar Dutta ....for the Applicant/Petitioner Mr. Shiv Shankar Banerjee, Mrs. Sanchita Barman Ray, Mr. Siddhartha Chamria, ....for the ECL

1. This contempt application arises out of an order dated 21.11.2024, the operative portion whereof is set out hereunder:

"In the aforesaid facts and circumstances, I direct ECL to pay the arrears of MMCC from 6th September, 2015 till 30th April, 2021 with accrued interest @ 6% per annum from the date of accrual till the date of actual payment to the petitioner within a period of three months from date, failing which the interest shall be increased to 9% per annum".

2. Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (in short, "ECL") being the principal respondents in the writ petition wherefrom

the order under contempt emanates have preferred an appeal at a belated stage with application under Section 5 of Limitation Act, 1963 for condoning the delay in preferring such appeal.

3. The delay has not yet been condoned and, as such, there is no appeal in the eye of law.

4. This contempt application, at the instance of ECL, has been adjourned on 27.02.2026 and 17.04.2026.

5. In the aforesaid facts and circumstances, ECL and/or alleged contemnors being the officers of ECL are directed to deposit the money payable in terms of the order dated 21.11.2024 with the Registrar General of this Court by 6th May, 2026.

6. The amount deposited shall be invested by the Registrar General of this Court in a short term highest interest earning fixed deposit account with a nationalized bank and shall keep the same renewed from to time until further order.

7. Let this matter appear on 8th May, 2026.

(Arindam Mukherjee, J.)