1. - This is a bunch of a 15 appeals before us under Section 19 (1) of the Contempt of Courts Act (No. LXX of 1971) (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act'). As common question of limitation under Section 20 of the Act is involved in all the appeals, we consider it convenient to dispose them of by a common order.

2. Writ petitions under Art. 226 of the Constitution were filed by the respondents. On the stay applications, ad interim orders were passed by which, the respondents were required to deliver 65% stock of sugar held by them on the date of the commencement of the Sugar (Retention and Sale by Recognised Dealers) Order, 1979. The price to be paid was Rs. 323/- per qntl. In spite of the intimation by the State Government, as envisaged by the interim orders, the respondents failed to deliver the sugar to the Government. Thereafter, the State of Rajasthan moved applications for initiating the contempt proceedings against the respondents under Section 12 of the Act. On these applications, the court ordered for issuance of notices to the contemners. The applications were filed within one year from the date of the commission of the contempt. It is, however, admitted that notic