Substantial compliance by disposing representation before court order receipt negates contempt despite delay.

ORDER

Alleging that the order of this Court dated 01.09.2025 in WP.No.32335 of

2025 has not been complied with, the petitioners have come up with this contempt petition.

2. It is the case of the petitioners that this Court, while disposing of W.P.No.32335 of 2025, had directed the respondents to consider the representation of the petitioners on merits and in accordance with law within a period of 12 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the order and that the respondents have not complied with the same.

3.Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that after the order was passed on 01.09.2025, the petitioners had sent a legal notice along with a copy of the order to the respondents and it was received by the respondents and subsequently, they had sent another notice through registered post on 04.01.2026 to the respondents. Since no action has been taken on the same, the petitioners have come up with this contempt petition.

4.Per contra, learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), who takes notice for the respondents would submit that in W.P.No.32335 of 2025, the petitioners had relied on an earlier order dated 21.07.2023 passed by this Court in W.P.No.21746 of 2023 dated 21.07.2023 and this Court, while disposing of the said writ petition, had directed the Project Officer to consider the representation of the petitioners. In this case, the 5^th respondent/Project Officer is the authorised authority to consider the representation of the petitioners. A copy of the order of this Court was received by the Project Officer, Directorate of Tribal Welfare on 06.03.2026 and it was forwarded to the first respondent, who is the competent authority. He would further submit that even prior to the receipt of the order from the petitioners, the 5^th respondent, by proceedings dated 19.12.2025, had disposed of the representation of the petitioners and thus, the respondents have not committed contempt. He would further submit that if there is any delay, the same may be condoned.

5. Heard both sides and perused the entire materials available on record.

6. Pursuant to the order of this Court dated 01.09.2025, inasmuch as the

5^th respondent, vide his proceedings dated 19.12.2025, had disposed of the representation of the petitioners, this Court finds that no contempt has been committed by the respondents.

7.In view of the same, this Contempt petition is closed.

8. Needless to state that if the petitioners have any grievance qua proceedings dated 19.12.2025 of the 5^th respondent, they are entitled to challenge the same, in the manner known to law.