M/S. Ksr Infrastructure Projects vs. S Chahat Bajpai, Ias

Facts

The petitioner, M/s. KSR Infrastructure Projects, filed a Contempt Case (No. 1348 of 2025) alleging willful and deliberate disobedience of an order dated February 27, 2025, passed by the High Court in WP No. 5944 of 2025. The earlier order directed the respondents, the Commissioner and Superintending Engineer of Greater Warangal Municipal Corporation, to consider a representation dated December 20, 2024, submitted by the petitioner. The petitioner contended that the respondents had not complied with this order. The respondents, through their standing counsel, submitted that they had considered the representation, deducted labour cess, seigniorage, and GST, and paid an amount of Rs. 1,23,96,966/- to the petitioner via cheque dated July 31, 2025, which the petitioner had received.

Held

The Court held that the respondents had complied with the order under contempt. The reasoning was based on the submission by the respondents' counsel, on instructions, that the representation had been considered, deductions for labour cess, seigniorage, and GST were made, and a sum of Rs. 1,23,96,966/- was paid to the petitioner via cheque dated July 31, 2025. The petitioner had already received this amount, and a copy of the cheque and calculation sheet were produced. Therefore, the Court found no violation, let alone a willful and deliberate violation, of the order by the respondents. The Contempt Case was liable to be closed. No specific issue was left undecided.

Key Issues

1. Whether the respondents have willfully and deliberately disobeyed the order dated February 27, 2025, passed in WP No. 5944 of 2025, thereby committing contempt of court? (Question of fact and law, concerning compliance with a court order). Petitioner's contention: The respondents have failed to comply with the court's direction to consider their representation, constituting willful and deliberate violation of the order. Respondents' contention: The respondents have complied with the court's order by considering the petitioner's representation, making necessary deductions for labour cess, seigniorage, and GST, and issuing a payment of Rs. 1,23,96,966/- to the petitioner, which has been received. They submitted a cheque and calculation sheet as proof of compliance.