BEGADIYA PUNAMBEN ISHVARBHAIversusSTATE OF GUJARAT
- Disposal
- 35-ANY OTHER MODE @ ADM.STAGE
- Bench
- NIRAL R MEHTA
Holding
The termination of services in violation of the Court's earlier order is a contempt of court, and the respondent must appear before the Court to avoid contempt proceedings.
Summary
Petitioner Begadiya Punamben Ishvarbhai challenged the termination of his services by the respondent authority, which was based on the cancellation of his caste certificate. The termination order dated 8 June 2026 was issued despite a prior order of this Court in Special Civil Application No. 7672 of 2026 (dated 2 June 2026) directing that no coercive steps be taken against the petitioner and waiving service of notice. The Court observed that the respondent's action amounted to a clear case of contempt. The Court directed the respondent to appear before it at 2:30 p.m. on the same day, either in person or via online hearing, failing which contempt proceedings would be initiated. The order also directed that a copy be sent to the learned A.G.P. for compliance.
Issues considered
- Whether the termination of the petitioner's services, contrary to the Court's earlier order, constitutes contempt of court
- Whether the respondent authority is required to appear before the Court to make a representation
Subjects
Judgment
C/SCA/7968/2026 ORDER DATED: 18/06/2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 7968 of 2026
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BEGADIYA PUNAMBEN ISHVARBHAI
Versus
STATE OF GUJARAT & ANR.
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Appearance:
MR KAMLESH S KOTAI(6150) for the Petitioner(s) No. 1
MS NIDHI VYAS AGP for the Respondent(s) No. 1,2
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CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE NIRAL R. MEHTA
Date : 18/06/2026
ORAL ORDER
[1] By way of this petition, the petitioner has challenged
the order dated 8th June 2026 passed by the respondent No.2, by
which the services of the petitioner came to be terminated on the
basis of cancellation of caste certificate.
[2] Pertinently, the cancellation of cast certificate is under
challenge before this Court in a Writ Petition being Special Civil
Application No.7672 of 2026. The Coordinate Bench of this Court
vide order dated 2nd June 2026 specifically directed that no
coercive steps shall be taken against the petitioner. The said order
was passed in presence of the learned advocate appearing for the
respondents authority and the service of notice was also waived.
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C/SCA/7968/2026 ORDER DATED: 18/06/2026
[3] Despite the aforesaid order of this Court dated 2 nd June
2026 passed in Special Civil Application No.7672 of 2026, the
respondent No.2 – authority has terminated the services of the
petitioner by order dated 8th June 2026. The action on the part of
the respondent No.2 is serious in nature inasmuch as a clear case of
contempt. However, before this Court initiates contempt
proceedings against the respondent No.2, if the respondent No.2
wants to make any representation, then he shall do it at 2.30 p.m.
today before this Court, failing which this Court will proceed to
initiate appropriate proceedings against the respondent No.2. The
respondent No.2 is hereby permitted to appear either in person or
by way of online hearing.
[4] List this matter at 2.30 p.m. today.
[5] A copy of this order be made available to learned A.G.P.
Ms. Nidhi Vyas for respondents Nos.1 and 2 for onward
compliance.
(NIRAL R. MEHTA,J)
CHANDRESH
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: CHANDRESH NATVARBHAI SIDDHAPURA(HC01109), PRIVATE SECRETARY, at High Court of Gujarat on 18/06/2026 12:27:40
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