RAVI KANT SHARMA Vs. MR M S PANDIT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This shall dispose of COA(SW) Nos.1-C/2003 and 2-C/2003, and also Robkar(SW) Nos.1-E/2004, 2-E/2004, 3-E/2004, 4-E/2004, 5-E/2004, 6-E/2004, 19-C/2003 and 20-C/2003. Vide order dated 5.3.2004 rule under the Contempt of Courts Act was directed to be framed against G. D. Wadhwa, the then Chairman, J&K Service Selection Board; Mr. Basharat Saleem, the then Secretary, J&K Service Selection Board; Mr. Farooq Ahmed Shah, the then Secretary, J&K Service Selection Board; Mr. J. L. Bhagat, the then Secretary, J&K Service Selection Board; Mr. M. S. Pandit, the then Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department and Mr. M. A. Lala, Director, Accounts & Treasuries, J&K, Jammu.

(2.) Upon issuance of the rule, respondents have filed their respective statements of facts. This case has a chequered history. In order to appreciate the controversy involved, it is imperative to notice the facts leading to the initiation of contempt proceedings.

(3.) The writ petition giving rise to the contempt petitions had arisen from selection for appointments to the post of Accounts Assistant in J&K Subordinate Accounts Service. The Government for filling up 529 posts of Accounts Assistants referred the same to the J&K Service Selection Board for selection.