Jammu, Dec 31: In LPA No. 36/2023 CM No. 1989/2023 c/w LPA No. 194/2023 CM Nos. 6431/2023, 6432/2023 titled UT of J&K, Department of Social Welfare through Commissioner/Secretary Social Welfare Department V/s 1. Surinder Kumar & ors after hearing a DB of HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE TASHI RABSTAN, JUDGE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH SEKHRI, JUDGE ORDERED as:-
In LPA No. 36/2023:-
This letters patent appeal has been filed by the appellant against order dated 18.03.2023 passed by the learned Single Judge in CPSW No. 471/2015, whereby directing personal appearance of Mrs. Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner/Secretary, Social Welfare Department, UT of Jammu & Kashmir and also impleaded her as co-respondent.
It is contended that the respondents herein have filed the contempt petition being CPSW No. 471/2015 titled “Surinder Kumar & Ors. vs. Yashpal Suman & Anr.” for non compliance of judgment dated 06.09.2002 passed in SWP No. 595/2001 titled “Surinder Kumar & Ors. vs. Yashpal Suman” and the appellant department was not a party respondent either in the main writ petition or in the contempt petition.
Mr. Ramesh Arora, learned AAG argued that the learned Single Judge, without issuing notice to show cause, has taken cognizance by directing personal appearance of Mrs. Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner/Secretary, Social Welfare Department, UT of Jammu & Kashmir and also arrayed as co-respondent, which is not only beyond the jurisdiction of the contempt Court, but also a clear violation of principle of natural justice.
This Court vide order dated 03.04.2023 has dispensed with the personal appearance of Commissioner/Secretary Social Welfare Department-Ms. Sheetal Nanda till further orders.
On perusal of the record of the contempt petition, it is found that vide order dated 03.04.2023 the Contempt Court has also dispensed with the personal appearance of Mrs. Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner/Secretary, Social Welfare Department.
The instant appeal has been filed by one Manoj Kumar, Under Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department, who is not competent to file this appeal as vide impugned order dated 18.03.2023 the Contempt Court directed for personal appearance of Mrs. Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner/Secretary, Social Welfare Department, UT of Jammu & Kashmir and also impleaded her as co-respondent.
Therefore, this appeal is not maintainable.
Accordingly, without expressing any opinion on the merits of this case, this appeal is dismissed being not maintainable.
LPA No. 194/2023 List on 04.03.2024. Meanwhile, interim direction, if any, to continue.
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