Lalit Mohan Kapur vs Sh Keshav Chandra & Ors.

MINI PUSHKARNA, J (ORAL):

The present petition has been filed alleging wilful disobedience of the order dated 12^th May, 2026, passed by this Court in W.P.(C) 6420/2026.

Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner draws the attention of this Court to the said order dated 12^th May, 2026, which reads as under:

By referring to the aforesaid order, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submits that this Court had categorically directed the respondents to provide to the petitioner extracts from the assessment list in respect of the Assessment Year 2026-2027 in respect of the specified properties, through E-mail.

He submits that the directions issued by this Court were unequivocal and mandatory.

However, despite the aforesaid order having attained finality, the respondents have failed to comply with the same, thereby, depriving the petitioner of his statutory right to file objections against the assessment list prepared in respect of the Assessment Year 2026-2027.

Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner submits that in complete disregard of the procedure, as contemplated under Sections 70 and 71 of the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 (“NDMC Act”), the respondents have proceeded to finalise the said assessment list, and have also issued a Bill dated 27^th May, 2026, in regard thereto.

Issue notice. Notice is accepted by learned counsel for the respondents.

Learned counsel for the respondents very candidly submits that the aforesaid order dated 12^th May, 2026, was not brought to the notice of the concerned officials of the New Delhi Municipal Council (“NDMC”). He, thus, submits that in view thereof, the NDMC was not aware of the directions passed by this Court. However, the aforesaid statement is disputed by learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner who submits that a representation was submitted to the respondents.

Be that as it may, this Court notes that learned counsel for the respondents has handed over to the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner, extracts from the assessment list for the Assessment Year 2026-2027.

Accordingly, the petitioner is granted liberty to file objections to the aforesaid extracts from the said assessment list, within a period of ten days from today.

This Court notes the submission made by learned counsel for the respondent that after the objections are filed by the petitioner, the same shall be considered, and a fresh order shall be passed by the NDMC.

Accordingly, it is directed that upon the petitioner filing objections within a period of ten days from today, the same shall be duly considered by the NDMC, and the procedure as prescribed in Section 70 of the NDMC Act, shall be duly followed.

Needless to state that the NDMC shall decide the issue, and pass appropriate orders expeditiously, preferably, within a period of four weeks, from today.

Considering the fact that the Bill dated 27^th May, 2026, has been issued without following the procedure as contemplated in the NDMC Act, and without complying with the directions as given in the order dated 12^th May, 2026 passed by this Court, it is directed that the said Bill shall be kept in abeyance.

It is further directed that final assessment qua the petitioner shall be issued by the NDMC, after following the due procedure, in terms of the NDMC Act.

Noting the aforesaid, the present petition is accordingly disposed of, along with the pending application.