SAGANG AREA HORTICULTURE FARMING CO OPERATIVE SOCIETY Vs. COMMISSIONER SECY CO OPERATIVE GOVT OF MANIPUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Aleng Vashum, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Asok Potsangbam, Sr. Advocate assisted by Mr. S. Suresh as well as Mr. Jagjit, learned counsel appearing for and on behalf of the respondents.

(2.) The petitioner has approached this Court for initiating a contempt proceeding against the respondents alleging wilful disobedience of the Court's order dated 1-12- 2000 passed in W.P. (C) No. 1143 of 2000 by which this Court directed the respondents to release the sanctioned amount within a period of two months from the date of passing of that order. The petitioner, complaining that Court's order has been wilfully disobeyed by the respondents, after serving legal notice, has come to this Court for taking up contempt proceeding.

(3.) Court order dated 1-12-2000 was to be complied within 2 (two) months from the date of order. Thus, cause of action for contempt accrued on expiry of the period of two months from 1-12-2000. Period of limitation for initiation of contempt proceeding as provided u/S. 20 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 is within one year from the date on which contempt was committed. Thus, the contempt proceeding may only be initiated within1 (one) year i.e. from 2-2-2001. In the present case, this contempt application has been filed on 18-9-2002 and thus it is clearly barred by time.