Srinagar- The High Court of J&K and Ladakh on Wednesday took serious exception to the non-compliance of its orders by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Deputy Commissioner Srinagar regarding payment of Rs 2,25,85,680 as rentals to a hotel for accommodation of “protected persons”.
Hearing a contempt plea, a bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan observed in open court that both the officers were “prima facie” guilty of the contempt of the court as they failed to clear the rentals. However the court ultimately took a lenient view after the officers pleaded for forgiveness and undertook to comply with the court’s order immediately. The court directed both the officers to report compliance tomorrow, December 7.
Earlier when the plea came up for hearing today, the two officers were not present but the court took serious note of which and subsequently both of them were brought to the court.
On November 29 last, the court had observed that the contempt petition was pending compliance of the order dated 25 November 2022, which clearly reflects that there is an admitted liability by the authorities of Rs. 2,25,85,680. “This order was passed in the month of November 2022 and the same is not being complied with till date. The contempt petition itself has been listed since 06.03.2023 on 9 occasions,” the court had observed and granted “last opportunity” Sr. AAG to comply with the orders.
“If on the next date of hearing, the admitted amount due to the petitioner is not released, the contemnors shall remain personally present before this Court to answer the charge of contempt,” the court had said.
Pertinently, the court on 25 November 2022 had observed that it was manifest that the authorities have essentially admitted the claim as regards the rentals for occupation of the hotel situated at M. A. Link Road Bishembar Nagar, Srinagar to provide secured allotment to the DDC candidates, Panchs, Sarpanchs, Councilors following a circular issued by the authorities 7 November 2020.
The court had been then informed that a communication dated 4 August 2022 addressed by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to the Additional Chief Secretary (Financial Commissioner) Home Department admitted the liability of the hotel detailing out the same to be Rs. 2,25,85,680.
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