2026 Supreme(Mad) 777

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.
G. Rajakumar, S/o. P. Govindharajan – Petitioners
Versus
Dr. Niranjan Marti – Respondent
Cont P.No.810 of 2019
Decided On : 05-01-2026

The court respects the Supreme Court's authority by closing the contempt petition, allowing petitioners to revive it based on the apex court's future decisions.

Headnote:(A) Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 - Section 11 - Contempt Petition filed against respondents for disobeying previous order - The court acknowledged the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court dated 26.07.2019, which stayed further proceedings in the contempt petition - The petition is closed, preserving the petitioners' liberty to revive it depending on the Supreme Court's proceedings. (Paras 1, 2)

(B) Judicial Procedure - Courts must respect the authority of higher courts, leading to the stay of proceedings in lower courts pending an apex court's decision. (Para 2)

Facts of the case:
Petitioners filed a contempt petition seeking to punish the respondents for their disobedience of an order from a prior writ petition.

Findings of Court:
The contempt petition is closed, allowing petitioners to revive it later, depending on the Supreme Court's ongoing proceedings on related matters.

Issues: Whether the contempt petition can continue in light of the Supreme Court's stay order.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the necessity to respect the orders of the Supreme Court, leading to the closure of the contempt proceedings for now, while maintaining the petitioners' rights to seek revival as needed.

Result: Contempt Petition stands closed.