Allahabad High Court
DR. SHOBHA RAMversusMR. SHASHI PRAKASH GOYAL (IAS), CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT OF UTTAR PRADESH, ADDRESS: 101, B BLOCK
- Decided
- Bench
- ROHIT RANJAN AGARWAL
Holding
The Court held that no case for contempt under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 was made out.
Summary
The applicant, Dr. Shobha Ram, filed a contempt application challenging a prior order of the Allahabad High Court in Writ-A No. 687 of 2026 concerning the non‑declaration of promotion results by a university. The writ court had observed that the university's promotion rules were not yet approved and could not be compelled to announce the Departmental Promotional Committee's outcome, but gave an assurance of a decision within six weeks. The applicant alleged contempt, asserting that the court's order was being ignored. The High Court examined whether the conduct fell within the definition of contempt under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. It found no material indicating a willful disobedience of a judicial order and held that no case for contempt was made out. Consequently, the contempt application was dismissed.
Issues considered
- Whether the conduct alleged by the applicant amounts to contempt of court under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
Legislation cited
- Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 — s. 2(b)
Subjects
- contempt of court
- Section 2(b)
- Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
- writ petition
- university promotion rules
- High Court of Allahabad
Judgment
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
CONTEMPT APPLICATION (CIVIL) No. - 2812 of 2026
Dr. Shobha Ram
.....Applicant(s)
Versus
Mr. Shashi Prakash Goyal (Ias), Chief Secretary,
Government Of Uttar Pradesh, Address: 101, B
Block, Lok Bhawan, U.P. Secretariat And 2 Others .....Opposite
Party(s)
Counsel for Applicant(s) : Harsh Vardhan Pandey, Satya Prakash
Pandey
Counsel for Opposite Party(s) :
Court No. - 9
HON'BLE ROHIT RANJAN AGARWAL, J.
1. The writ Court on 21.01.2026 in Writ-A No. 687 of 2026 passed the
following order:-
"1. Heard Sri S.P. Pandey, learned counsel for petitioner, Sri Dhananjay
Singh, learned Standing Counsel and Sri J.B. Singh, learned counsel for
respondent-University.
2. Petitioner is on verge of retirement and he has participated in a
Departmental Promotional Committee (D.P.C.) for purpose of promotion
for the post of Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, however, till
date its result is not declared.
3. Learned counsel for University submits that there is no provision for
promotion in Service Rules of University and some new Rules have been
framed which are pending approval before State Government.
4. Learned Standing Counsel submits that if there is no legal impediment,
the concerned respondents will take a decision within four weeks.
5. In aforesaid circumstances, since Rules are still not adopted, therefore,
Court cannot direct the respondent-University to declare the result of
D.P.C. so conducted, however, an assurance is given by learned Standing
Counsel that concerned respondents will take decision so far as
enactment of new Rules for promotion is concerned, therefore, this writ
petition is disposed of with an observation that as soon as Rules are
adopted, the respondent-University will take a decision to declare the
CAPL No. 2812 of 2026
2
outcome of D.P.C., if there is no legal impediment and concerned State-
respondents will take decision on aforesaid issue within a period of six
weeks from today."
2. From perusal of the order passed by writ Court, no case for contempt
under Section 2(b) of Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 is made out.
3. The contempt application is misconceived and stands dismissed.
(Rohit Ranjan Agarwal,J.)
May 6, 2026
(V. S. SINGH)
Digitally signed by :-
VIDYA SAGAR SINGH
High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
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