Jagannath Yeshwant Patil v. The State Of Maharastra Through Chief Executive Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CONTEMPT PETITION NO.615 OF 2025 Jagannath Patil

...Petitioner

V/s.

The Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Sangli

...Respondent

------ Mr. Bhalchandra Mote, Advocate for Petitioner. P. P. Deokar, Advocate for Z. P. Sangli.

Ms. Tejas J. Kapre, AGP for respondent-State. ------ Coram : Madhav J. Jamdar & Pravin S. Patil, JJ.

Date : March 25, 2026.

P. C. :

1.

The conduct of Respondent No.1 - Mr. Vishal Narwade, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Sangli, has already been noted by a Division Bench of this Court (M. S. Karnik and Ajit B. Kadethankar, JJ.) in order dated 22nd December 2025, wherein it has been specifically recorded that, prima facie, the Court was satisfied that the Respondent had committed contempt.

2.

By a detailed order dated 4th March 2026, this Court recorded the 1 of

conduct of Respondent No.1 and directed him to remain present before this Court on 10th March 2026 at 2.30 p.m. It was further made clear that, in the event of failure to remain present, a non-bailable warrant would be issued to secure his presence.

3.

However, it is both surprising and shocking that Respondent No.1, a senior responsible officer holding the post of Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Sangli, addressed a letter to the learned AGP stating that he was unwell and unable to remain present before this Court on 10th March 2026, whereas material placed on record indicates that on the very next day, i.e., 11th March 2026, he had attended a cricket match, addressed a gathering and even participated in the said match. 4.

The matter was thereafter listed on 24th March 2026. On that date, learned counsel for the Petitioner placed on record photographs indicating that Respondent No.1 had attended a cricket match on 11th March 2026, addressed a gathering and also participated in the said match. In view thereof, this Court passed the following order dated 24th March 2026:

"1.Having prima facie found that Respondent-Mr. Vishal Narwade, the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Sangli has breached the order dated 8th September 2025 as also order dated 22nd December 2025, this Court by order dated 4th March 2026, directed the Respondent-Mr. Vishal Narwade, the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Sangli to remain present in this Court on 10th March 2026.

2. When matter was called out on 10th March 2026, 2 of

Respondent-Mr. Vishal Narwade, the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Sangli was not present. However, a letter dated 10th March 2026 addressed by said Mr. Vishal Narwade was produced in this Court wherein he has stated that he was not keeping well and therefore unable to personally remain present in the Court.

3.Today, learned Counsel appearing for the Petitioner submitted that on 11th March 2026, Respondent-Mr. Vishal Narwade, the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Sangli had attended the cricket match, addressed a gathering and even played the cricket. In support of his submission, learned counsel tendered photographs wherein Mr. Vishal Narwade, the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Sangli is seen to have been addressing a gathering and playing cricket. Those photographs are taken on record and collectively marked "X" for identification.

4. Prima facie it appears that a false statement has been made by the Respondent-Mr. Vishal Narwade, the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Sangli, who is a high-ranking responsible Officer of Zilla Parishad.

5. In this view of the matter, Respondent-Mr. Vishal Narwade, the Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Sangli is directed to remain present in this Court tomorrow at 2.30 p.m.. It is made clear that if he fails to remain present in this Court tomorrow, then this Court will be constrained to issue a non-bailable warrant against him to secure his presence before the Court.

6. List on 25th March 2026 at 2.30 p.m."

5.

Today, Respondent No.1 -Vishal Narwade, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Sangli, is personally present before this Court. Upon consideration of the material on record, prima facie, we are satisfied that the Respondent has not only committed contempt of Court but has aggravated the same.

6.

Accordingly, issue notice to Respondent No.1-Vishal Narwade under Rule 9(1) of Chapter XXXIV of the Bombay High Court Appellate Side Rules, 1960, returnable on 15th April 2026 at 2.30 p.m. 3 of

7.

In view of issuance of contempt notice, Respondent No.1-Vishal Narwade shall remain present before this Court on each and every date. It is made clear that in the event of failure of the respondent no.1 to remain present, this Court shall be constrained to issue a non-bailable warrant to secure his presence.

[Pravin S. Patil, J.] [Madhav J. Jamdar, J.] 4 of