IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT JABALPUR
RAVI MALIMATH, VISHAL MISHRA, JJ.
Miss. Guneeta kaur D/o Late Smt. Kripal Kaur – Appellant ,
Versus
V.M. Singh S/o Shri Maninder Singh – Respondent
Writ Appeal No. 664 of 2022
Decided on : 16-01-2024
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 -- S. 12 -- scope of powers -- jurisdiction of contempt Court is limited -- limited to extent of finding out as to whether there has been wilful disobedience or not -- answer to that could be in positive or negative -- contempt Court cannot go into re-appreciation of facts or law or grant extension of time or pass any other order -- it is beyond its jurisdiction. [Paras 8 to 11]
U;k;ky; voeku vf/kfu;e] 1971 & /kkjk 12 & 'kfä dh O;kfIr & voeku U;k;ky; dh vf/kdfjrk lhfer gS & ;g irk yxkus rd lhfer gS fd tkucw>dj voKk dh xbZ gS ;k ugha & mldk mÙkj ldkjkRed gks ldrk gS vFkok udkjkRed & voeku U;k;ky; rF;ksa ;k fof/k dk iquewZY;kadu esa ugha tk ldrk vFkok le; dh o`f) çnku djus dk ;k vU; dksbZ vkns'k ikfjr ugha dj ldrk & ;g mldh vf/kdkfjrk ds ijs gSA ¼iSjk 8 ls 11½
ORDER :
I.A. No. 16040 of 2023 is an application seeking vacation of interim order dated 27.06.2022. In terms whereof, the order passed by the learned Single Judge dated 11.05.2022 in Conc No. 428 of 2021 and all further proceedings were stayed.
2. It is contended by the respondents that orders that were passed by the High Court of Delhi were subsequently confirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the orders mentioned therein. None of this has been taken into account when the accused Tehsildar has passed the order. Therefore, it amounts to contempt.
3. The same is disputed by the appellant on the ground that there is absolutely no disobedience that has been committed. The learned Single Judge has only directed the consideration of the application of the writ petitioner in accordance with law by passing a reasoned and speaking order positively within a further period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of the order. This is exactly what the Tehsildar has done. Therefore, he cannot be blamed for the same.
4. At request of learned counsels, the matter is taken up for final disposal.
5. The learned Single Judge by order dated 03.03.2020 in W.P. No. 5227 of 2020 held as follows:
Learned G.A. for the respondent/ State has submitted that the aforesaid application shall be decided in accordance with law.
In view of the aforesaid, the petition stands disposed of with direction to respondent No.3 i.e. Tehsildar, Bhopal to decide the aforesaid application dated 14.10.2019 (Annexure P/19) in accordance with law by passing a reasoned and speaking order positively within a further period of four weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order.
Accordingly, the petition stands disposed of."
6. Thereafter, the Tehsildar has passed the order dated 13.07.2020. In pursuance whereof, the contempt petition has been filed by the original writ petitioner.
7. The learned Single Judge went into the discussion with regard to the orders passed by the High Court of Delhi confirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court etc. The learned Single Judge also went into the order of the Hon'ble Supreme Court with regard to certain observations on facts. Thereafter, he came to the conclusion that the factum of the judgment and decree passed by the High Court of Delhi having become final on the same being approved by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, has not been considered by the Tehsildar. That the Tehsildar has not complied with the order which has been passed in the writ petition in its letter and spirit.
8. On considering the contentions, we do not find that any contempt has been committed. The order of the learned Single Judge is quite clear. It has only been narrated therein that the respondent Tehsildar shall consider the application of the writ petitioner dated 04.10.2019 in accordance with law by passing a reasoned and speaking order positively within a further period of four weeks from the date of receipt of the copy of the order. The Tehsildar having passed the order, we do not find that any contempt would arise thereon. The finding recorded by the learned Single Judge, in our considered opinion, is unwarranted. The contempt court, in our considered opinion, cannot get into the facts and circumstances involved as to how the original order has been passed, what is the intention therein, what are the contents therein etc. If at all the learned Single Judge was of the view that these are the facts and circumstances
The contempt jurisdiction is to ensure compliance with the order of the Writ Court and cannot be used to review or challenge the correctness of the order passed in compliance with the direction of th....
Contempt jurisdiction cannot modify or review original orders; it focuses solely on compliance with those orders.
Contempt jurisdiction cannot modify original orders; it is limited to assessing willful non-compliance.
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