Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 9: The High Court has directed the authorities to stop the salary of Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department Srinagar in defiance of court judgment and clarified the salary shall remain stopped till the judgment of the court is complied with.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar in a contempt petition filed by Frontline Engineering Works through its owner said the conduct of the authorities and their open defiance of the judgment of the court has left it with no option but to stop the monthly salary of CE I&FC.
“This court is left with no option but to direct the stoppage of monthly salary of Naresh Kumar, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Srinagar, till the judgment passed by this court is complied with. Needless to say that it is for the Chief Engineer to take immediate steps and get the requisite funds arranged for the release of admitted amount in favour of the petitioner.
Court directed the listing of contempt proceedings further on which date the court directed that Superintending Engineer, Mechanical Circle, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Srinagar, and Assistant Executive Engineer, holding the charge of Executive Engineer, Mechanical Irrigation Division, Srinagar shall appear in person if the judgment still remains unimplemented.
The judgment was passed on 27.10.2020 directing the respondents to release the payment of the petitioner for the work executed in the year 2017-18. Vide order dated 28.6.2022, on the request of the counsel appearing for the respondents, four weeks’ last and final opportunity was granted to the respondents to comply with the judgment making it clear that in case the judgment was not complied with, all the respondents shall appear in person before this court on the next date of hearing.
“Admittedly, the judgment passed by this Court has not been complied with. Superintending Engineer, Mechanical Circle, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Srinagar, and Assistant Executive Engineer, holding the charge of Executive Engineer, Mechanical Irrigation Division, Srinagar, are present in person. However, the Chief Engineer has chosen not to appear.
Their counsel submitted that the statement-of-facts to be filed by the respondents is ready with him and he be permitted to file the same in the Registry during the course of this week. He, however, submitted that the statement-of-facts proposed to be filed by the respondents only indicates the steps taken by the respondents to comply with the judgment but the substantial compliance of the judgment is still awaited and is subject to availability of funds to be provided by the Administrative department.
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