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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 20497
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
P.T. ASHA, J
P.Natarajan – Appellant
Versus
Supriya Sahu – Respondent
CONT P No. 660 of 2026
For the Appellants/Petitioners: No appearance
For the Respondents: Mr.M.Suresh Kumar, AAG, Assisted by Mr.S.J.Mohamed Sathik, GA(Forest)
The court may close a contempt petition if an appeal concerning the underlying order is pending, allowing revival upon non-compliance post-appeal.
Headnote:This judgment pertains to a contempt petition filed under Section 11 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, concerning alleged willful disobedience of a prior court order (W.P.No.31523 of 2025). The court observed that the order has been challenged in a writ appeal (WA.Sr.No.39275 of 2026), which is currently under consideration, and a stay has been issued regarding coercive actions until the appeal is resolved. Consequently, the contempt petition is closed, with a provision to revive if the writ appeal is decided in favor of the petitioners and non-compliance occurs. The decision reflects the court's approach to handle contempt petitions in the context of pending appeals. The contempt petition stands closed without any costs.
ORDER
It is brought to the notice of this Court that the order which is the subject matter of this petition has been challenged by way of writ appeal in WA.Sr.No.39275 of 2026 before a Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court. This Court, by an order dated 05.03.2026 made in CMP.No.6446 of 2026 in WA.Sr.No.39275 of 2026 has stayed it by stating that no coercive steps shall be taken pursuant to the impugned order.
Therefore, considering the same, this Contempt petition stands closed. It is needless to state that as and when the writ appeal is disposed of in favour of the petitioner and if the orders are not complied with, then this contempt petition can be revived. No costs.
