JUDGMENT

ORDER:— Anjuman Isnai Ashria, a society registered under the Societies Registration Act filed a suit against one Shanti Sarup Gupta in the Court. of the Senior Sub-Judge, Delhi, for possession of property particularly demarcated in red colour in the map annexed to the plaint. This suit ended in a decree. By the decree defendant had to handover vacant and peaceful possession of the property. He was, however, entitled to demolish the superstructure raised by him on the suit property. Defendant preferred an appeal in the District Court which came to be dismissed on April 3, 1979. The second appeal preferred by the defendant was dismissed by the High Court of Delhi in limine. Thereupon the defendant approached this Court under Art. 136 of the Constitution. The Vacation Judge of this Court made the following order :

"Special leave petition refused. But by consent of parties, petitioner is granted time for two years, i.e. up to 31st May, 1981, to vacate and handover premises on his filing undertaking on an affidavit by tomorrow that he would give peaceful and vacant possession of the premises to the respondent on or before 31st May, 1981, and during this period he would not induct anyone in the premises. The petitioner shall also pay Rs. 50/- per month effective from 1st May, 1979 to the respondent as use and occupation charges of the premises. If the petitioner commits three defaults in payment of the charges for use and occupation, the respondent will be at liberty to move this Court for appropriate direction."

When the time given by this Court to the defendant was about to expire defendant filed CMR 11157/81 on Apr. 30, 1981, for extension of time contending that if he is required to surrender possession according to the undertaking he would be ruined and he would not be able to recoup his losses suffered because of disobedience of this Courts order by the respondent. Tulzapurkar, J. rejected this application on May 26, 1991. Thereafter, original plaintiff moved this Court on July 29, 1981, requesting the Court to hold original defendant in contempt of this Court because he has committed wilful breach of the solemn undertaking given to this Court.

2. The Court issued a notice to Shri Gupta to show cause why he should not be held in contempt of this Court. On the notice being served the contemner appeared and contended that he is willing to handover possession of that part of the property which was subject-matter of litigation but further contended theft he is in possession of some other portion of the plot which he could not be asked to vacate under the hanging sword of contempt proceedings. This Court directed the contemner to handover possession on March 19, 1982. A further order was made directing him specifically to vacate the area which he claimed to be in possession and which did not form part of the decree by Mar. 20, 1982. Subsequently, on April 16, 1992, an order was made for issue of non-bailable warrant to arrest and produce the contemner before this Court on Friday, April 23, 1982. Thereafter on April 23, 1982, substantive notice on the contempt petition was issued. Mr. R. R. Dhebar, learned counsel appeared for the contemner and sought time to file his affidavit in reply. The contemner was held in custody but as he was operated upon he was confined to the hospital. On May 4, 1982, the Court, directed that the Sub-Divisional Magistrate having jurisdiction over the locality where the property involved in the dispute is situated should proceed to that place and seal the entire premises and should not permit the petitioner to carry on any business in the premises. This order was executed and the open space near the Hall is now in custody of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate under the orders of this Court.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing Mr. Dhebar learned counsel for the contemner was keen to impress upon us that Shri Gupta has not committed contempt of the Court because the undertaking given by him was to h