J&K High Court Cautions Tourism Minister Of Contempt Action If Delay Is Caused In Complying With Orders For Paying Dues Of Deceased Contractor
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has warned the state tourism minister of being held in contempt of court if he causes any delay in the compliance of the court orders, whereby the court had imposed exemplary costs of Rs. 9 lakhs on the contemnors apart from just dues payable to the deceased petitioner for the work carried out in 2015.The counsel for the contemnors informed the court that...
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has warned the state tourism minister of being held in contempt of court if he causes any delay in the compliance of the court orders, whereby the court had imposed exemplary costs of Rs. 9 lakhs on the contemnors apart from just dues payable to the deceased petitioner for the work carried out in 2015.
The counsel for the contemnors informed the court that the minister was occupied in the ongoing session and could not sign the file. However, the court took strong objection to the said prayer made by the counsel appearing on behalf of the contemnors.
A bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Puneet Gupta stated, “The prayer of the counsel is rejected as the petitioner has been waiting for the past 15 years for the release of his just dues.”
The court directed that “the needful should be done before the next date of hearing, failing which the court shall be at liberty to make the minister concerned as contemnor no. 4 on the next date of hearing for causing hurdles in the compliance of court orders.”
The counsel for the petitioner submitted that steps were taken to comply with the order under compliance.
On the previous date, the court had given five days' time to the contemnors to file their personal affidavits as to why the contempt petition should not be allowed.
The court had directed that the amount, which has been directed by this Court by order dated 04.09.2024 and is under compliance, shall be deposited before the Registrar Judicial of the Court before 12.03.2025.
APPEARANCE:
Irfan Andleeb, Advocate FOR PETITIONERS
Ilyas Laway, GA FOR RESPONDENTS
Case-Title: Mohammad Afzal Reshi (Deceased) thro. Son vs Mr.Atul Dulloo (P.W.D) & Ors., 2025