JUDGMENT - BOBDE S.A., J.:---Heard Shri Ramesh Darda, the learned Counsel for the petitioner, and Shri Khubalkar, learned A.G.P. for the State.

2.This is an application for setting aside the earlier order of this Court by which this Court dropped the contempt proceedings initiated at the instance of the petitioner against the respondent-Secretary, Ministry of Co-operation, Government of Maharashtra, Mantralaya.

3.The petitioner had alleged in the contempt proceedings that the respondents are guilty of disobedience of the order of this Court in that the respondent has not complied with the order of this Court dated 3rd September, 1999 in Writ Petition No. 1488 of 1999 directing the respondent to hear the petitioner and then decide the matter. The contempt with which the respondent was charged for civil contempt as defined under the Contempt of Courts Act. The definition reads as follows:--

"2(b) "civil contempt" means wilful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a Court or wilful breach of an undertaking given to a Court."

4.The petitioner, who had moved this Court for taking action under the Contempt of Courts Act did not appear before this Co

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