Vijay Singh, Secy., D/o. Home v. Mitthanlal Hindoliya

1. Delay condoned.

2. Leave granted.

3. This appeal by special arises from the order in the contempt proceedings dated 1-8-1995 made by the Madhya Pradesh Administrative Tribunal at Indore in Miscellaneous Application No. 99 of 1994

4. The admitted position in that the respondent was appointed as a Sub-Inspector in the Police Department on 1-1-1960 and his date of birth in the High School Certificate was 5-8-1934. In 1992, he filed an application in the Tribunal for correction of his date of birth contending that his date of birth was 16-7-1938. The Tribunal by order dated 25-2-1994 disposed of the application with a direction to consider the representation of the respondent. The representation was considered and rejected by proceedings dated 23-5-1994. Consequently, the respondent filed a contempt application contending that the appellants have wilfully and deliberately disobeyed the orders of the Tribunal and sought for initiation of the proceedings against the appellants under Section 12 of the Contempt of Courts Act. In the impugned order, the Tribunal has held that the respondent has not deliberately disobeyed the orders of the court as direction was to consider the case afresh on the finding that the Director General of Police had not applied his mind to the issue and, therefore, the impugned order came to be issued. The question is whether the Tribunal was right in giving its directions. It is seen that the Assistant Inspector General of Police who is the Administrative Officer assists the Administrator, namely, the Director General of Police. He had put up the note on it and after consideration of it the Director General of Police had made a note "inform the respondent". Obviously, after consideration of the case he did not agree with the claim of the respondent and accepted the report submitted by his subordinate, viz., Assistant Inspector General of Police. Thus, it would be a case where due consideration was a given to the respondents representation as per the directions given by the Tribunal. The Tribunal having held that the respondent has not deliberately disobeyed the order, there is no power to issue further directions5. The appeal is accordingly allowed. The directions are set aside. No costs.