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| IUST VC, Registrar face contempt heat over non-compliance of judicial orders | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 4: The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Srinagar Bench, has directed the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) to appear personally before it after taking a stern view of their alleged failure to comply with judicial orders.
The Bench comprising Member (Administrative) Prasant Kumar and Member (Judicial) M.S. Latif directed IUST Vice Chancellor Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo and Registrar Shamim Ahmad Shah to remain present before the Tribunal on August 4 at 11 am to ensure compliance with its directions as well as the orders passed by the Division Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The direction was passed in a contempt petition filed by Dr Sheikh Mohd Imran.
Coming down heavily on the conduct of the University authorities, the Tribunal observed that the contemnors appeared to be "intentionally dragging their feet to defeat the administration of justice."
It warned that deliberate foot-dragging would invite strict punitive measures and that any compliance report designed merely to buy time would increase the severity of contempt besides wasting valuable judicial time.
The Tribunal noted that it had initially directed the Vice Chancellor and Registrar to appear through virtual mode. However, their alleged continued non-compliance compelled it to issue bailable warrants against them on July 21.
The warrants were executed through the Senior Superintendent of Police, Awantipora, following which the Vice Chancellor and Registrar submitted duly attested bail bonds and were informed about the requirement of their appearance before the Tribunal.
The officials subsequently approached the High Court through WP(C) No. 1744/2026, where their personal appearance was exempted till August 3.
The Tribunal referred to the High Court's observation that anyone under the impression that the interim order dated June 2 need not be complied with until the original application or interim-relief plea was decided was "living in a fool's paradise."
Senior Advocate Showkat Ahmad Makroo, appearing for the applicant along with Advocates Irfaan Rasool and Rahil Noor, argued that the respondents had deliberately frustrated the Tribunal's directions.
He submitted that after the applicant discharged his duties on June 2, his office room was allegedly locked unlawfully to defeat the Tribunal's order. He further argued that there was no option left before the Tribunal except to issue non-bailable warrants to secure the presence of the officials.
Deputy Advocate General Syed Musaib, appearing for the IUST authorities, submitted that a compliance report had been filed and requested that it be accepted as sufficient compliance.
The Tribunal, however, observed that disregard of court orders was a serious legal infraction striking at the very foundation of justice and the sanctity of legal proceedings.
"Disregarding court orders may seem bold, but the shadows of its consequences are long and cold," the Tribunal observed, adding that no person could be above the law and that the rule of law remained the bedrock of the Constitution.
The Bench said that "paper compliance," unless corrected by the heavy hand of law, could erode public confidence in the judicial system and weaken the courts' ability to deliver justice impartially and effectively.
While declining at this stage to issue non-bailable warrants, the Tribunal ordered the personal appearance of both officials in accordance with the bail bonds submitted following the execution of the earlier bailable warrants.
The Bench clarified that its observations would have no bearing on the final outcome of the original application.
(JNF) |
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