Kulandaivelu S/o.Muthu Gounder vs Pasubathi The Revenue Tahsildar Kallakurichi Previously Villupuram District Now Kallakurichi District

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2026 Supreme(Online)(Mad) 29488

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
S. M. Subramaniam, K. Surender, JJ
Kulandaivelu S/o.Muthu Gounder – Appellant
Versus
Pasubathi The Revenue Tahsildar Kallakurichi Previously Villupuram District Now Kallakurichi District – Respondent
Contempt Petition No.614 of 2026

Important Points

Timeliness is crucial in contempt proceedings; delays can bar petitions due to limitation under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Subject

Contempt of Court - Contempt Proceedings

Act Referred

Contempt of Courts Act, 1971: S.11

Headnote

(A) Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 - Section 11 - Contempt proceedings initiated for wilful disobedience of a court order - Petition filed after a significant delay of 7 1/2 years - Petition dismissed due to being hit by limitation under the Act. (Paras 2-4)

(B) Limitation in contempt proceedings - The court emphasized that time limits are crucial in contempt actions, and delays undermine the integrity of the contempt proceedings. (Paras 2-4)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner filed a contempt petition alleging wilful disobedience by the respondent concerning a court order from 2017. However, the petition was filed nearly 7 1/2 years later.

Findings of Court:
The court found the contempt petition barred by limitation due to the extensive delay in filing.

Issues: The primary issue addressed was the relevance of the delay in filing the contempt petition and its implications under the Contempt of Courts Act.

Ratio Decidendi: The court determined that adherence to timelines is mandatory in contempt proceedings to maintain judicial discipline and order. Timeliness affects the validity of the contempt petition.

Result: The Contempt Petition stands dismissed.

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Ms.R.Divyapreathika
For the Respondents: Mr.A.Selvendran Special Government Pleader

Table of Content
1. contempt petition filed for disobedience (Para 1)
2. petition filed after statutory limitation (Para 2)

O R D E R

The present contempt petition has been instituted to punish the respondent for his wilful disobedience of the order of this Court dated

17.07.2017 passed in W.P.No.18016 of 2017.

2. The certified copy of the order passed in the writ petition was made ready by the Registry, High Court on 10.08.2017 and was delivered to the petitioner on 16.08.2017. However, the present contempt petition was instituted only on 12.11.2025, after a lapse of about 7 1/2 years. 3. Thus, the present contempt petition is hit by period of limitation as contemplated under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

4. In view of the above, the Contempt Petition stands dismissed.