IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Suresh Kumar Kait, Neena Bansal Krishna, JJ.
Mujeeb Ur Rehman & Anr. – Appellants
Versus
Shamsul Islam & Ors. – Respondents
CONT.APP.(C) 19 of 2023 and CM APPL. 21843 of 2023
Decided On : 01-05-2023
Contempt of Court - Property Sealing - The court addressed the issue of alleged violation of a court order regarding the sealing of a property and the subsequent contempt petition. The appellants contested the contempt petition, claiming compliance with the court orders and alleging suppression of facts and misrepresentations. The court directed the appellants to disclose details of individuals occupying the property and related documents. The appeal was dismissed, and liberty was granted to the appellants for seeking clarification.
Fact of the Case:
The court addressed a contempt petition regarding the alleged violation of a court order to seal a property. The appellants contested the petition, claiming compliance with the court orders and alleging suppression of facts and misrepresentations.
Finding of the Court:
The court dismissed the appeal and granted liberty to the appellants for seeking clarification.
Issues: Violation of court order, alleged contempt of court, suppression of facts, compliance with court orders
Ratio Decidendi: The court found no ground for allowing the appeal and directed the appellants to disclose details of individuals occupying the property and related documents.
Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed, and liberty was granted to the appellants for seeking clarification.
JUDGMENT (Oral)
CM APPLs.21844/2023 & 21845/2023 (exemption)
1. The applications are allowed, with a direction to the applicant to file requisite legible copies of documents and annexures within four weeks.
2. The applications are accordingly disposed of.
CONT.APP.(C) 19/2023
3. The petitioner in his petition has made following prayers:
a) To set aside the impugned order dated 13.03.2023
4. The admitted facts are that on 13.11.2019, the Court was pleased to pass an order that SDMC has sealed the property and respondent nos. 3 to 5 were restrained from carrying out any construction in the property. Thereafter, on 16.02.2020, the appellants herein, (respondent nos. 3 and 4) in the writ petition filed the reply to show cause notice stating that the writ petition was legally not maintainable since there were suppression of facts and misrepresentations. They also stated that the writ petition was a counter blast to the litigation pending between Akhtar Islam (father of Shamsul Islam) and the appellants herein; there was no illegal construction as alleged, only repairs were being carried out; the house in which shamsul Islam lives is at a distance of about 3 Km from the property of the appellants herein. The reply was also duly supported by the pleadings.
5. On 11.09.2020, Shamsul Islam filed Civil Contempt Petition no. 845/2020 against the appellants. It was inter alia pleaded that the Court may initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents/contemnors as provided under Section 2 (B) of the contempt of Courts Act, 1971 read with Section 11, 12 and 14 of the Act for violation of order dated 13.11.2019 passed in W.P. (C) No. 6444/2019. The appellants herein contested the said contempt petition vide reply dated 07.10.2021 and it was inter alia submitted that the appellants herein had not violated the order dated 13.11.2019, passed in W.P. (C) No. 6444/2019.
6. Learned counsel for the appellants submits that the appellants respect the sanctity of the courts and duly complied with the orders passed by this Court. The contempt petition was legally not maintainable since there was suppression of facts and misrepresentations. Moreover, the learned Single Judge vide the impugned order has expanded the scope of the contempt.
7. It is not in dispute that in the contempt petition, no order of holding the appellants guilty was passed.
8. By the impugned order dated 13.03.2023, the respondent nos. 3 and 4/appellants herein were directed to place on record the list of particulars of the individuals who were occupying the property and also to disclose the right, title and interest, if any, of the said individuals occupying the property. The appellants herein were directed to place on record the documents, if any, executed by the appellants herein pertaining to subject property, during the pendency of the contempt petition.
9. In view of the above, we find no ground on the which the present appeal may be allowed.
10. Accordingly, the present appeal is disposed of. Pending application, if any, also stands disposed of.
11. The liberty is granted to the appellants to take appropriate steps for clarification, if any, before the learned Single Judge.
AI
The court addressed the issue of alleged violation of a court order, contempt of court, and the requirement for disclosure of details related to the property in question.
Wilful disobedience is an indispensable requirement for civil contempt, and the court must consider the specific circumstances and intent of the contemnor.
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