M S PANDIT Vs. S K KOUL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal, purportedly under Section 19(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act, is directed against the common order of the learned single Judge in COA (SW) No. 1-C/2003 and COA (SW) No. 2-C/2003. The relevant part of the order is as under :

(2.) The appellants herein are two of the six alleged contemners against whom notice has been issued. They are sought to be proceeded against as the then Principal Secretary, Finance Department and Director, Accounts and Treasuries.

(3.) A preliminary objection was raised to the maintainability of the appeal on the ground that the appeal under Section 19(1) of the Contempt of Courts Act lies only against an order of punishment, the order being interlocutory asking the appellants to file show cause, does not fall within the ambit of appellate jurisdiction under Section 19(1) of the Act. Hearing of the case was post-poned to enable counsel for the parties to make submissions on the point of maintainability, and on the adjourned date of hearing they were heard at length.