Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 2: Taking the orders of court in a lenient manner, the High Court issued bailable warrants against top officials of Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department including Commissioner Secretary PHE for securing their presence before the Court on the next date of hearing.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey while dealing with a contempt petition filed by one Ajaz Ahmad Lone seeking implementation of court directions, said the officials despite notice have not chosen to appear as such issued bailable warrants are issued for securing their presence.
“Registry to issue bailable warrants in the amount of Rs 20, 000 each to secure the presence of the respondents”, Justice Magrey directed and added these warrants shall be executed through Inspector General of Kashmir against these officials.
The officials of PHE Department against whom warrants have been issued are Commissioner Secretary, Chief Engineer, Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle and Executive Engineer PHE Department Baramulla.
Petitioner Lone has filed contempt petitioner against all these officials and sought punishment against them for having willful disobedience of court direction passed on June 27 last year.
Court on June 27 while passing an interim order in the writ petition of petitioner-Lone had directed the authorities to allow the petitioner to perform his duties and release his salary for the period he has worked unless there is legal impediment in doing so.
His counsel submitted before the court that the order has been served upon these officials well in time but they have not bothered to comply the court order. He added that the contemnors have completely failed to implement the directions contained in the order despite repeated requests which constrained the petitioner to initiate contempt proceedings against the contemnors.
Justice Magrey while securing the presence of these officials through IGP Kashmir said, in the event the court is still hearing the matters through virtual mode then the contemnors shall remain available through virtual mode and ensure compliance.
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