R. Ranganathan vs Thiru Devendranath Sarangi I.A.S. Secretary to Government Environment and Forest Department

M. Jaichandren, J.—This contempt petition has been filed praying that this Court may be pleased to punish the respondent herein for

committing grave contempt and gross disobedience of the order passed by this Court, in W.P. No. 28412 of 2006 (O.A. No. 2794 of 1996),

dated 25.6.2008.

This Court, by its order, dated 25.6.2008, had permitted the petitioner to make a representation to the first respondent, with regard to the

reliefs sought for in the writ petition, within a period of four weeks from the date of the passing of the order, and on such representation being

submitted, the first respondent had been directed to pass appropriate orders thereon, on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of

twelve weeks thereafter.

The main contention of the learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner is that even after a representation, dated 7.8.2008, having been

submitted to the respondent, in person, no orders had been passed by the respondent on the said representation, as directed by this Court, by its

order, dated 25.6.2008.

The learned Counsel appearing for the respondent had submitted that no representation had been submitted by the petitioner within the period

of four weeks granted by this Court, by its order, dated 25.6.2008, and therefore, there is no wilful disobedience of the order passed by this

Court, as alleged by the petitioner. Since, the petitioner has not shown to the satisfaction of this Court that a representation had been submitted to

the respondent, within the period of four weeks granted by this Court, by its order, dated 25.6.2008, the present contempt petition filed by the

petitioner cannot be sustained. Hence, the contempt petition stands dismissed. However, it is made clear that if a representation had been

submitted by the petitioner, on 7.8.2008, as claimed by him, it would be open to the respondent to pass appropriate orders thereon, as per law.

No costs.