Supreme Court: Courts Must Examine Contempt Grievances on Merits, Not Avoid Them
The Supreme Court held that the High Court erred in dismissing a contempt petition on grounds of ambiguity in the original order. It clarified that contempt jurisdiction cannot be avoided merely because an order is allegedly capable of two interpretations. The Court must examine specific grievances of non-compliance based on material on record, not assume compliance from others' silence.
Facts Of The Case:
The dispute originated from Writ Petition No.3412 of 1992 filed by the predecessor of the appellants seeking completion of acquisition proceedings and possession of land bearing Gat No.78 in Village Chinchavali, Thane. On 17.01.2003, the Bombay High Court disposed of this petition along with four others through a common order. In this order, the Special Land Acquisition Officer s...