Patna High Court
Punita KumariversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
Holding
The Court held that the order dated 10 May 2023 was fully complied with, and therefore the contempt application stands disposed.
Summary
Petitioners Punita Kumari and Yogita Singh filed a contempt application alleging that the State of Bihar had not complied with the High Court's order dated 10 May 2023 in Letters Patent Appeal No.1067/2019, which directed their reinstatement as Lady Supervisors. The State responded with a show‑cause statement indicating that the District Level Selection Committee had unanimously decided to reinstate the petitioners on 29 June 2024, that an order memo dated 3 July 2024 directed them to join, and that they reported for joining on 5 July 2024. The Court examined these statements and concluded that the order of 10 May 2023 had been fully complied with. Consequently, the Court found no ground to continue the contempt proceedings. The contempt application was therefore disposed of, and any pending applications were also ordered to stand disposed.
Issues considered
- Whether the order dated 10 May 2023 in LPA No.1067/2019 has been complied with by the respondents.
- Whether the contempt application filed by the petitioners should be dismissed on the ground of compliance.
Subjects
- contempt of court
- order compliance
- reinstatement
- contractual appointment
- ICDS
- High Court
- Letters Patent Appeal
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Miscellaneous Jurisdiction Case No.797 of 2024
In
Letters Patent Appeal No.1067 of 2019
======================================================
1. Punita Kumari Wife of Sanjay Kumar Resident of C/o- Pro Mani Shankar
Prasad, Mohalla- Gajadhar Ganj, Collecteriate Road, P.S.- Town Buxar,
District- Buxar.
2. Yogita Singh Daughter of Sri Ramjee Singh Resident of Mohalla- Civil
Line, Ward No. 17, near Jai Ram Atta Mill, P.S.- Town Buxar, District-
Buxar.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through Mr. Prem Singh Meena, the Principal Secretary,
Social Welfare, Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. Mr. Prem Singh Meena, The Principal Secretary, Social Welfare,
Government of Bihar, Patna.
3. Mr. Kaushal Kishore, The Director, I.C.D.S., Bihar, Patna.
4. Mr. Kumar Ravi, The Divisional Commissioner, Patna.
5. Mr. Anshul Agrawal, The District Magistrate, Buxar.
6. Mrs. Ranjana Kumari, The District Programme Officer, I.C.D.S., Buxar.
7. Bindu Kumari (Complainant) Wife of Sunil Kumar Keshri Resident of
Station Road, Infront of D.A.V. School, P.O.- Gajadharganj, P.S.- Buxar
(Town), District- Buxar.
... ... Opposite Party/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, Advocate
For the Opposite Party/s : Mr. Gyan Prakash Ojha, GA-7
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR SINGH
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SHAILENDRA SINGH
ORAL ORDER
(Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHIR SINGH)
4 27-04-2026 Heard learned counsel appearing for the parties.
2. The present application has been preferred alleging
non-compliance of the order dated 10.05.2023 passed in L.P.A.
No. 1067 of 2019, wherein the following observations and
Patna High Court MJC No.797 of 2024(4) dt.27-04-2026
2/3
directions were made by a Coordinate Bench of this Court:-
“Learned senior counsel appearing for
the appellants submitted that in the LPA there was a
stay of termination and hence the appellants herein
were continued. Definitely, the benefit of the
judgment of the coordinate Bench has to go to the
appellants also. In such circumstances, we find no
reason to sustain the order of the learned Single
Judge which was prior to the judgment of the
coordinate Bench now placed before us in L.P.A. No.
770 of 2019. In such circumstances, we follow the
aforesaid judgment and grant the same relief to the
appellants but, however, make it clear that the
qualifications and eligibility of the appellants will
be verified and if at all the respondent authorities
want to make regular appointment then necessarily
the contractual appointees will have to give way.
The writ appeal stands allowed with the
above reservation.”
3. A show cause has been filed on behalf of O.P. No. 5
& 6, wherein following statements have been made:-
“5. That in compliance of the order
dated 10.05.2023 passed in LPA No.-1067/2019 and
the order dated 08.08.2023 this deponent made
District Level Selection committee in which all the
members of the committee unianimously decided to
reinstate the petitioners at the post of Lady
Supervisor on 29.06.2024.
6. That in pursuance of the decision
taken by the District Level Selection Committee
dated 29.06.2024 the deponent no.-06 the District
Programme Officer (ICDS), Buxar vide his office
Patna High Court MJC No.797 of 2024(4) dt.27-04-2026
3/3
order memo no.-461/DPO (ICDS) dated 03.07.2024
directed the petitioner to submit their joining in the
office of the deponent.
7. That in pursuance of the order both
the petitioner submitted her joining on 05.07.2024
in the office of the District Programme Officer
(ICDS), Buxar.
8. That the order dated 10.05.2023 of
the Hon’ble High Court is fully complied with.”
4. Upon perusal of the aforesaid statement, it is
apparent that the order passed by the writ court has been
complied with.
5. In view of the aforesaid, this Court is of the view
that no further order is required to be passed in the present
contempt application.
6. Accordingly, the present contempt application
stands disposed of.
7. Pending application(s), if any, shall also stand
disposed of.
(Sudhir Singh, J)
(Shailendra Singh, J)
Sachin/-
U
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