Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 8: The Supreme Court has stayed proceedings in a contempt petition against Commissioner Secretary to the Forest Department and others in connection with the regularization of casual labourers in the department.
“Pending further consideration, there shall be stay of further proceedings in Contempt Petition…,” said the top court’s bench comprising Justices Uday Umesh Lalit and Vineet Saran.
The high court on 28 January 2020 had recorded that its judgment dated 02.05.2013 has not been complied with despite repeated adjournments granted for the purpose.
“The stand taken by the respondents that the petitioners were engaged as casual labourers and therefore, are not entitled for regularization has been rejected by this Court twice, yet the empowered committee has dared to take the same stand to justify the rejection of the cases of the petitioners,” the court had said.
“In that view of the matter, before proceeding further in this contempt petition and issuing a formal Robkar, all the members of empowered committee as also the Commissioner/Secretary to the Forest
Department are directed to appear in the person on the next date of hearing, State Counsel to ensure their presence,” the court had said.
On February 3, Arun Kumar Mehta, Commissioner Secretary to Finance Department Jammu and Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner Secretary to Forest Department Jammu were present in Court.
The high court on request of Ayjaz Lone, Dy. AG, had adjourned the matter again.
“Respondents are directed to comply with the judgment and submit the compliance report on the next date of hearing. In case of failure, both the Commissioner/Secretaries present today shall again appear in person,” the court had ordered.
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