Judicial orders bound to be obeyed at all costs: CAT to Govt

Srinagar, Apr 4:  Observing that judicial orders are bound to be obeyed at all costs, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) in Srinagar has granted six weeks to J&K’s Commissioner Secretary General Administration Department (GAD) to implement an order it passed in a service matter on February 4, 2022.

A division bench comprising M S Latif, Member (J), and Prasant Kumar, Member (A), granted the time to Commissioner Secretary GAD, Sanjeev Verma after he requested for it.

“Time prayed for is granted and it is expected that the respondent No 1 will implement the order passed by the court in its letter and spirit,” the court said hearing the officer through virtual mode in a contempt plea by one Iftikhar Hussain Sheikh.

“In case, the compliance of the order is not submitted, the Commissioner Secretary GAD would remain present by whatever mode available to assist this court to uphold the rule of law. In case, the order is complied within its letter and spirit, the personal appearance of the official would be deemed to have been dispensed with,” the court said and listed the matter for hearing on May 13.

The court observed that the matter came up before it on various occasions wherein directions were passed for filing of the compliance report.

The court referred to various orders wherein, it said, a lenient view was taken to grant time to the contemnors to file the compliance.

The tribunal held that the contemnors were also warned against taking the court orders casually.

“It is once again reiterated that disobedience of the court orders strikes at the very root of the rule of law on which the judicial system rests. Judicial orders are bound to be obeyed at all costs howsoever grave the effect may be,” the tribunal said.