KUMARI VARMA Vs. A.T.JAMES IAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Shri.M.L.Sajeevan, learned Special Government Pleader appearing for the respondents, submits that though the concerned District Collector has prepared the report, the competent Land Board has not passed an order yet. He thus prays that an additional one months time from today be granted for such purpose.

(2.) Shri.T.Krishnanunni, learned Senior Counsel, instructed by Smt.Meena A., learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that the delay that has been caused in the issuance of an order in spite of the directions of this court, clearly exposes the respondents to further action under the Contempt of Court Act . He says that it is not sufficient that the District Collector settles a report, since his client will get a cause of action, either to accept it or to assail it, only if orders are issued thereon. The learned Senior Counsel thus prays that further action in this contempt case be taken forward.

(3.) Even though I find some force in the submissions of learned Senior Counsel, Shri.T.Krishnanunni, I am of the view that limited latitude can be shown to the respondents, since the learned Special Government Pleader, Shri.M.L.Sajeevan, only seeks a months time from today. This, even though is an excess of the time frames granted in the judgment, appears to be reasonable in the given circumstances, specially when our State is going through distress on account of the COVID-19 pandemic scenario.