Patna High Court
Sulekha ThakurversusThe State of Bihar through its Principal Secretary, Department of Mines and Geology
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISMISSED
- Bench
- ANSHUMAN
Holding
The contempt proceeding is dropped and the petition dismissed, with liberty to the petitioner to challenge the order dated 30‑12‑2024 before the appropriate forum.
Summary
Petitioner Sulekha Thakur filed a petition alleging that the State of Bihar had failed to comply with the High Court's order dated 20‑08‑2024 in Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.12202 of 2024. The State argued that it had complied by issuing a detailed order on 30‑12‑2024, annexed as Memo No.5678. The Court examined whether the alleged non‑compliance amounted to contempt and whether the contempt proceeding could be continued. It held that the compliance was sufficient and therefore the contempt proceeding should be dropped. Consequently, the petition was dismissed, but the Court granted the petitioner liberty to challenge the 30‑12‑2024 order in the appropriate forum.
Issues considered
- Whether the State's issuance of the order dated 30‑12‑2024 satisfies the compliance required by the Court's order dated 20‑08‑2024.
- Whether the alleged non‑compliance constitutes contempt of court.
- Whether the contempt proceeding can be dismissed while allowing a fresh challenge to the later order.
Subjects
- contempt
- civil writ jurisdiction
- order compliance
- administrative law
- high court
- challenge of order
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Miscellaneous Jurisdiction Case No.1077 of 2025
In
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.12202 of 2024
======================================================
Sulekha Thakur Wife of Late Siya Sharan Thakur Resident of Mohalla- Dutta
Lane, Mithapur, P.S.- Jakkanpur, District- Patna.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through its Principal Secretary, Department of Mines and
Geology namely Sri Narmdeshwar Lal, Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. Sri Narmdeshwar Lal, the Principal Secretary, Mines and Geology,
Government of Bihar, Patna.
3. Sri Vinod Duhan, Director, Mines and Geology, Bihar, Patna.
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Ms. Priya Ranjan, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Standing Counsel 1
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DR. ANSHUMAN
ORAL ORDER
4 18-03-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned
counsel for the State.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
order dated 20.08.2024 passed in C.W.J.C. No. 12202 of 2024
has not been complied with.
3. Learned counsel for the State submits that the show
cause on behalf of opposite party nos.1 to 3 has been filed.
Counsel further submits that in compliance of the order dated
20.08.2024 passed in C.W.J.C. No. 12202 of 2024, the
Additional Secretary, Department of Mines & Geology,
Government of Bihar has passed a detailed and reasoned order
Patna High Court MJC No.1077 of 2025(4) dt.18-03-2026
2/2
dated 30.12.2024 contained in Memo No. 5678 dated
31.12.2024 (annexed as Annexure-R/A).
4. As such, the contempt proceeding is hereby
dropped and the present M.J.C. petition stands dismissed with
liberty to the petitioner to challenge the said order dated
30.12.2024 contained in Memo No. 5678 dated 31.12.2024
(Annexure-R/A), before the appropriate forum.
(Dr. Anshuman, J)
Divyansh/-
U
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