ORDER :

1. This Contempt Case is initiated against the respondents for their willful disobedience in complying the order of this Court dated 30.11.2020 and for obstructing the Constitutional functions of the Court.

2. In C.C. No. 1309 of 2020, at the stage of admission, on 30.11.2020 this Court ordered notices to the respondents therein and directed to post the contempt case on 14.12.2020. But, the C.C. No. 1309 of 2020 is posted on 18.12.2020. On verification of the case record, it was found that, the notices were dispatched by the Registry only on 17.12.2020 and contempt case was listed on 18.12.2020. Considering the same, this Court is of the prima-facie opinion that the Registry did not comply the orders of this Court in true spirit and they are obstructing the Constitutional functions of this Court and accordingly, directed the Registrar General to initiate contempt proceedings against the officers of the Registry who are responsible for not implementing the orders dated 30.11.2020 of this Court and submit “Action Taken Report” on the next date of hearing i.e. on 18.01.2021.

3. The Registrar General placed “Action Taken Report” before this Court on 18.01.2021 wherein, it is stated that, C.C. No. 77 of 2021 was registered against the respondents herein for not complying with the order dated 30.11.2020 of this Court. On 22.01.2021, after hearing the learned Advocate General and upon perusal of the record, notices were issued to the respondents.

4. All the respondents filed counter affidavits and additional counter affidavits.

5. Heard learned Advocate General and Sri T. Sreedhar, learned counsel appearing for Respondent No. 1 and Sri J.U.M.V. Prasad, learned counsel appearing for Respondent No. 2. Respondent Nos. 3 to 11 personally present before the Court and submitted their contentions.

6. In the counter affidavit filed by Respondent No. 1, it is averred that, he has been discharging his duties as Registrar (Judicial) of this Court since 30.04.2020. Till then, he has been discharging his duties with utmost diligence and commitment in accordance with the established practices, High Court Rules, Standing Orders, Roster Directions and instructions/directions issued by the Hon’ble Judges from time to time. He always strived to uphold the majesty of the Court in the eye of the public and Advocates by discharging his duties and functions in accordance with law. It is averred that, he strongly believed that any Orders of the Court should be complied with scrupulously.

7. It is further averred that, the Registrar General by letter dated 18.01.2021 has directed to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents in the present contempt case for causing delay in complying with the order dated 30.11.2020 passed by this Court, including Respondent No. 1. He contends that, he has no personal knowledge about the contempt case in C.C. No. 1309 of 2020 until the Court passed the order to initiate Contempt proceedings. It is also contended that, the report of the Registrar General placed before this Court identifying the officers responsible for noncompliance of the order dated 29.12.2020 of this Court is not furnished to him. Therefore, he averred that, he had no information, muchless, any knowledge about C.C. No. 1309 of 2020 and the order passed by the Court in the said case and there is no possibility of any disobedience on his part in the matter where he has no knowledge.

8. He further averred that, he believed that, this Court is concerned about the functioning of the Registry and has initiated steps for enhancing its functioning, for which he would be greatly obliged, although he is not responsible for the present contempt in any manner. In the said counter affidavit, he also recorded the relevant provisions of the High Court Standing Orders which are applicable to the judicial section and the procedure to be followed by them. He also contends that, the Standing Orders do not mandate the Registrar (Judicial) to either secure knowledge