The Supreme Court has issued a notice in the plea by Ritu Maheshwari , the Chief Executive Officer of New Okhla Industrial Development Authority(NOIDA) who has challenged the Allahabad High Court’s order for issuing her a NBW (non-bailable warrant) after he failed to appear in court in a contempt case.
A CJI led Bench directed that the stay on the previous order shall continue until further notice. The court said that “List some time in July, for counter affidavit and hearing’.
The contempt case before the High Court arose because of the non compliance of High court’s order by the CEO NOIDA who was directed to compensate the petitioners in relation to a land acquisition dispute.
The bench expressed its concern towards issuing a NBW on the reason that CEO NOIDA Ritu Maheshwari had reached the High Court but got late, and her lawyer had sought some more time.
While addressing Vikas Singh a senior advocate who was appearing for the contempt petitioner, the CJI questioned ” Suppose you are appearing in a matter, your junior would say my senior is coming. Is this the way.”
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh informed the bench that another judge shall be hearing the matter now so kindly allow her the audience , else the contempt jurisdiction would close for all times to come”.
The bench said. “Let us hear the matter and pass the order.”
NOIDA CEO counsel was told by the CJI that “This has become routine, we have seen in several cases, You acquire land, take away land, and don’t pay compensation and they’ve to go around courts. After reaching Supreme Court also you don’t wanna follow orders?”
The CJI said “Better advise your client to comply.”