Sanchi Jewels Private Limited vs. Deepti Gaur Mukherjee & Anr.
Original PDF →Facts
The petitioner, Sanchi Jewels Private Limited, filed a contempt petition before the Delhi High Court seeking enforcement of a previous judgment dated July 28, 2025, passed in LPA 184 of 2025. The original judgment directed the respondents to calculate additional fees at the rate of Rs. 100 per day for delays beyond November 30, 2019, and refund any excess additional fees paid by appellant companies within six weeks. The petitioner specifically sought the refund of excess additional fees of Rs. 6,400 charged on two SRNs (R25623042 and R25623679), along with bank charges and interest. The respondents, represented by counsel, stated that the file was under process and compliance would be made within three weeks.
Held
The Court noted the undertaking given by the respondents' counsel, on instructions from Deputy ROCs, that compliance with the directions of the Division Bench in LPA 184 of 2025 would be made within three weeks. Based on this undertaking, the Court disposed of the contempt petition. The Court did not make a finding on whether contempt had been committed but accepted the respondents' assurance of future compliance. The petitioner was granted liberty to revive the contempt petition if the undertaking was not fulfilled. The specific amount of excess fees, bank charges, and interest claimed by the petitioner was acknowledged but not independently adjudicated upon by this Court in the contempt proceedings, as the matter was resolved based on the undertaking.
Key Issues
1. Whether the respondents have willfully and deliberately failed to comply with the directions issued by the Division Bench of this Court in LPA 184 of 2025, dated 28.07.2025, thereby constituting contempt of court under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971? 2. Whether the petitioner is entitled to the refund of excess additional fees of Rs. 6,400, along with bank charges of Rs. 75.52 (including 18% GST) and interest at 18% per annum, as directed by the Division Bench? Petitioner's Arguments: The petitioner argued that the respondents had failed to comply with the clear directions of the Division Bench to refund excess additional fees within the stipulated period of six weeks. They sought initiation of contempt proceedings and a direction for immediate refund with interest and costs. The petitioner relied on the judgment dated 28.07.2025 in LPA 184 of 2025. Respondents' Arguments: The respondents, through their counsel, submitted that the file was under process and undertook to comply with the directions within three weeks. They did not contest the petitioner's claim regarding the excess fees or the original judgment.
Sections Cited
Section 2(b), Section 11, Section 12
AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below
Cause title — parties, addresses and appearances
O R D E R %
2025
This hearing has been done through hybrid mode.
The present petition under Article 215 of the Constitution of India read with Sections 11 and 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 seeks the following prayers:- “A. Initiate the Contempt of Court proceedings against the Contemnors/ Respondents for the non-compliance of Judgment/Order dated 28.07.2025 passed in LPA 184 of 2025; and further B. Direct the Contemnors/Respondents to credit immediately, into the bank account as mentioned in Para 6 of the petition, the excess additional fees of Rs.6,400 charged @ Rs. 3,200 each on SRN R25623042 and R25623679 from the petitioner along with bank charges incurred on such payments @ 1%+18% GST amounting to Rs.75.52 @ Rs.37.76 on each SRN along with interest @ 18% p.a. from the date of payment of such amounts till the date of actual refund to petitioner; and C. Impose an exemplary cost on the Respondents; and D. Pass any other or further order/s as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case.”
Vide judgment dated 28.07.2025, the learned Division Bench of this This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/11/2025 at 12:27:53
Court, in LPA 184/2025 had passed the following directions:- “20. In that view of the matter, we allow the appeals and set aside the impugned judgment dated 27.01.2025 and thereby direct the respondents to: (i) calculate the additional fee at the rate of Rs.100/- per day for every day delay beyond 30.11.2019 in terms of Circular no. 13/2019 till the date of submission as the case maybe, and; (ii) consequently, refund the additional fee paid by the appellant companies, if found in excess, within a period of 6 weeks from date.”
Learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent no.1 and 2, on instructions of Mr. Vyomesh Sheth, Deputy ROC and Mr. Vijaya Sinha Reddy, Deputy ROC, who are present in Court today, submits that file is under process and the compliance of the aforesaid directions will be made within three weeks. The aforesaid statement is taken on record.
In view of the aforesaid undertaking, the petition stands disposed of with liberty to the petitioner to revive the same, if the undertaking is not complied with.
Pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.
AMIT SHARMA, J NOVEMBER 13, 2025/nk/db
This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 19/11/2025 at 12:27:53
Reproduced from the public record of the Delhi High Court. Verify against the court's own copy before relying on it. Income tax judgments are on bharattax.net.