Holding

A willful breach of an undertaking given to the Supreme Court in a consent order amounts to contempt of court under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Summary

The father, Rama Narang, filed a contempt petition against his two sons, Ramesh and Rajesh Narang, alleging that they deliberately violated a Supreme Court consent order that required joint management of their family company, NIHL, and joint signing of cheques for transactions exceeding Rs 10 lakhs. The Court examined whether such breaches amounted to contempt under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, and rejected the respondents' preliminary objection on maintainability. It held that the respondents' practice of splitting large payments into multiple cheques and taking unilateral management decisions constituted willful disobedience of the undertaking. Consequently, the respondents were convicted of contempt, sentenced to two months’ simple imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000 each, with the imprisonment kept in abeyance due to the potential disruption to the company. The Court directed strict compliance with the undertaking and warned of immediate imprisonment for any future breach.

Issues considered

Whether a willful breach of a consent order constitutes contempt of court under Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
Whether the respondents' practice of splitting cheques to avoid joint signatures amounts to deliberate disobedience of the court's undertaking.
Whether the preliminary objection to the maintainability of the contempt petition is tenable.
Whether the Court may stay the imprisonment sentence pending future compliance.

Legislation cited

Contempt of Courts Act, 1971s. 2(b)

Subjects

Contempt of courtUndertakingConsent orderJoint managementCompany lawCorporate governanceSection 2(b)Family business dispute

Judgment

) RAMA NARANG A
v.
RAMESH NARANG AND ANOTHER

MARCH 15, 2007

[B.N. AGRAWAL, DALVEER BHANDARI AND B
LOKESHWAR SINGH PANTA, JJ.]

Contempt of Courts Act, 1971-Section 2(b)-Dispute between father
and his two sons regarding control and management ofa company-To ensure C
that company was run with participation of all, consent terms entered into and
incorporated in Supreme Court order-Father and one of the sons were to be
in joint management and control of company, while the other son was to be
in charge of day-to-day operations; no decision was to be taken concerning
the Company without consent offather and either of his two sons; amount of
any transaction exceeding ten lakhs rupees was to be undertaken through D
cheque signed jointly by father and either of two sons-Violation of these
terms-Contempt of Court-Held-Under guise of day-to-day operation, all
decisions affecting the company were taken by one son-On amount of
transaction exceeding rupees ten lakhs, payment made by splitting the amount
in two or more cheques; explanations given regarding this by sons found E
untenable; in case of genuine difficulty or confusion, the sons ought to have
approached Court for directions-Sons found guilty and convicted for contempt
of court for deliberate and willful disobedience of their undertaking to Supreme
Court-Sentence of simple imprisonment for a period of two months, and a
fine imposed-However, keeping in view interests ofcompany and its employees,
sentence of imprisonment kept in abeyance, to be revived in future on similar F
violations.

Words and phrases-Undertaking-In context of Section 2(b) of the
Contempt of Courts Act, 1971

Petitioner is father (R-1) and respondents (R-2 and R-3) and his two G
sons. Disputes between them were subject-matter of diverse court
proceedings with regard to shareholdings and control and management
of a company, NIHL. To ensure peace in the family and all groups run
the company harmoniously with the active participation of all as a family

.1099 H
1100 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A business, consent terms were entered into, accepted and incorporated by
this Court while finally disposing of all the disputes between the parties.
These terms inter alia included that R-1 and R-2 were to be in joint
management and control of NIHL; R-3 was to be the 'Permanent Whole
Time Director' thereof in charge of day to day operations/management;
B no decision concerning the Company was to be taken without the consent
of R-1, R-2 (or R-3) in writing; all bank accounts of the Company were
to operated jointly by any two out of the three viz. R-1, R-2 and R-3 and/
or as may be agreed to between them; if the amount of any transaction
exceeds ten lakhs rupees, it was to be undertaken through a cheque signed
jointly by R-1 and R-2/R-3.
c Present contempt petition has been filed on the allegation that the
respondents had violated the terms of the consent order. Petitioner gave
numerous instances of violation and contended that they amounted to a
willful disobedience of the order of this Court, punishable under its power
of contempt.
D
Respondents contended that it was never the intention of the parties
that the petitioner should enjoy a veto power over the company
transactions whose value exceeds ten lakhs rupees, and clause regarding
same was meant purely for operation of bank accounts.

E Disposing of the Contempt Application, the Court

HELD: 1. All the management decisions and other decisions affecting
the company were taken by the respondent Rajesh Narang, the whole time
Director under the guise of the day to day operation/management in clear
violation of clause 3(c) of the consent terms which clearly state that Rama
F Narang and Ramesh Narang shall continue to be in joint management and
control. The parties gave undertaking to the court regarding the consent
terms. (Para 321 (1116-B]

2.1. In order to keep the petitioner out of the management and
G control of the company where the amount of transaction exceeded Rs.ID
lakhs, the payment was made by splitting the amount in two or more
cheques. This subterfuge was adopted to keep the petitioner out of the
control of the management and company. (Para 511 (1121-C)

2.2. The explanations given by the respondents for splitting up the
H cheques are wholly untenable. In case of genuine difficulty or confusion,
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG 1101

) the respondents ought to have approached the Court for directions. A
(Para 31( (1115-HJ

3.1 Wilful breach of an undertaking given to the Court amounts to
contempt of court under Section 2(b) of the Act. 1Para 48( (1120-E(

Noorali Babu/ Thanewala v. K.MM Shelly & Ors., [1990( 1SCC259, B
Mohd. Aslam v. Union of India, (1994) 6 SCC 442, Rita Markandey v. Sur) it
Singh Arora, (1996( 6 SCC 14, KCG Verghese v. KT Rajendran, [2003] 2
SCC 49, Bank ofBaroda v. Sadruddin Hasan Daya and Anr., reported (2004)
1 SCC 360 and Babu Ram Gupta v. Sudhir Bhasin & Anr., [1980) 3 SCC
47, relied on
c
Bajranglal Gangadhar Khemka & Anr. v. Kapurchand Ltd., AIR (1950)
Bombay 336, approved

M v. Home Office, [1992[ 4 All ER 97, In re Hudson [1966) Ch. 209,
Shoreham-by-Sea U.D.C. v. Dolphin Canadian Proteins (1972) 71 L.G.R. 261
referred to D

Black's Law Dictionary, 5th Edition, Osborn's Concise Law Dictionary,
I 0th Edition, referred to

3.2. The respondents are clearly guilty of committing contempt of
court by deliberate and wilful disobedience of the undertaking given by
E
them to this Court. In this view of the matter, in order to maintain sanctity
of the orders of this Court, the respondents must receive appropriate
punishment for deliberately flouting the orders of this Court.
(Para 531 (1121-G-H(
F
~ 3.3. Consequently, the respondents are convicted under Section 2 (b)
of the Contempt of Courts Act and sentence them to a simple
imprisonment for a period of two months. Further, a fine of Rs.2000/- is
to be deposited by each of them within· one week failing which they shall
further undergo imprisonment for one month. (Para 54) (1122-8)
G
3.4. The fact that immediately sending the respondents to jail would
~
create total chaos in the company which would also vitally affect the
interests of large number of people including the employees of the
company. Therefore, while keeping in view the peculiar facts and
circumstances of this case, the sentence of imprisonment imposed on the
respondents is kept in abeyance. Further, parties are directed to H
1102 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A meticulously comply with the undertakings given by them to this Court.
In case, similar violation of the undertakings given to this Court is brought
to the notice of the Court, in that event, the respondents shall be sent to
jail forthwith to serve out the sentence imposed in this case.
!Para 55111122-C-D]

B CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Contempt Petition (C) No. 148
of 2003.

In

Contempt Petition (C) No. 265-267 of 1999.
c
In

Contempt Petition (C) No. 209 of 1998.

In
D
Civil Appeal No. 366 of 2007.

Mukul Rohtagi, Gopal Jain, R.N. Karanjawala, Ritu Sharma, P.S. Baghel i
and Manik Karanjwala for the Petitioner.

E F.S. Nariman, A. Sibal Barooaha, A. Swamp and Bina Gupta for the
Respondents.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

DALVEER BHANDARI, J. I. This is an unfortunate litigation amongst
F the most intimate family members where the father has been driven to file a
contempt petition against his sons. The parties are intensely involved in inter- .i.,
se litigation for the last two decades. The petitioner, Rama Narang is the
father of Ramesh Narang and Rajesh Narang, the respondents herein. Both
are the children of his first wife, namely, Motla, whom he divorced in 1963.
The petitioner has three children from his second wife Mona, namely, Rohit,
G Ramona and Rahul.

2. The petitioner has prayed that the respondents herein namely Ramesh "
and Rajesh are guilty of committing gross contempt of the orders of this
Court dated 12.12.2001 and 8. 1.2002.

H 3. The petitioner in this contempt petition has also prayed that the order
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] ] ] 03

) dated 12.12.2001 may be recalled. The petitioner has further prayed that A
respondent no. 2, Rajesh Narang be restrained from interfering in the affairs
ofNarang International Hotels Ltd. (for short, NIHL) and its joint management
by the petitioner, Rama Narang and respondent no. I, Ramesh Narang.

4. It is further prayed that the bank accounts of the company hereinafter
be operated jointly for all amounts and transactions by the petitioner and B
respondent no. I only.

5. The petitioner stated that the disputes between the petitioner and the
respondent-contemnors inter se were subject-matter of diverse court
proceedings with regard to shareholdings and control and management of the C
company, NIHL and Fashion Wears Pvt. Ltd.

6. It is incorporated in the contempt petition that for accomplishing the
object of ever-lasting peace in the family and having regard to the views
exchanged in the family, all groups should work, be represented and have
trust in one another. All groups should run the company harmoniously with D
the active participation of all as a family business. The consent terms dated
12th December, 2001 were entered into, accepted and incorporated by this
Court while finally disposing of all the disputes between the parties.

7. The terms embodied in the order of 12th December, 2001 reads as
under:- E
"The following cases are pending between the parties who are parties
in the present proceedings before us one way or the other. We are
told that all the parties have settled their disputes in respect of all the
litigations specified below.

I. O.S. No. 3535 of 1994 before the Bombay High Court.
F
2. O.S. No. 3578 of 1994 before the Bombay High Court.
'
.>. O.S. No. 1105 of 1998 before theBombay High Court.
4. O.S. No. 3469 of 1996 before the Bombay High Court.
G
5. O.S. No. 1792 of 1998 before the Bombay High Court.
~

6. O.S. No. 320 of 1991 before the Bombay High Court.
7. Company Petition No. 28 of I992 before the Principal Bench,
Company Law Board, New Delhi.
H
1104 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A 8. Arbitration Suit No. 5110 of 1994 before the Bombay High
Court.

Today they filed a document styled it as "MINUTES OF
CONSENT ORDER" signed by all the parties. Learned counsel
appearing on both sides submitted that all the parties have signed this
B document. Today except Mona Narang and Ramona Narang (two
ladies), all the rest of the parties are present before us when these
proceedings are dictated. As for Mona Narang and Ramona Narang
learned counsel submitted that Mona Narang had affixed the signatures
and the power of attorney holder of Ramona Narang has signed the
above document in his presence. This is recorded.
c
Both sides agreed that all the suits can be disposed of in terms of
the settlement evidenced by "MINUTES OF CONSENT ORDER"
produced before us. For disposal of those cases and/or for passing
decrees in them we have to pronounce the final formal order in terms
of the settlement now produced before us.
D
We, therefore, withdraw all the aforesaid suits to this Court under
Article 139-A of the Constitution of India.

Prothonotory and Senior Master of the Bombay High Court is
directed to transmit the records in the above mentioned suits by special
E messenger to this Court so as to reach the Registry here within ten
days from today. The Bench Officer of the Principal Bench of the
Company Law Board, New Delhi is directed to forward the records
relating to company petition No. 28 of 1992 to the Registry of this
Court so as to reach the Registry within ten days from today.
F All the parties have undertaken before us that they will implement
the terms of the "MINUTES OF CONSENT ORDER" on or before
1.1.2002 and that no further time will be sought for in the matter.

Clause (t) of the compromise relates to the operation of the bank
accounts. That clause will come into force from today onwards."
G
8. The aforementioned suits and company petition were posted before
this Court on 8th January, 2002 along with the contempt proceedings. The
consent minutes as agreed amongst the parties are reproduced:

(a) With effect from 4th May, 1999 Rama, Ramesh and Rajesh are
H
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 1105

) the only Directors ofNIHL (and its subsidiaries). Any increase in the A
Board of Directors shall be with the mutual consent of Rama and
Ramesh/Rajesh.

(b) None of the Directors (Rama, Ramesh and Rajesh) can be remov~d
from the directorship.
B
(c) Rama and Ramesh shall continue to be in joint management and
control ofNIHL and Rajesh shall continue to be the 'Permanent Whole
Time Director' thereof in charge of day to day operations/management.

(d) No decision shall be adopted concerning or affecting the said
Company (and its subsidiaries) without the consent of Rama and C
Ramesh (or Rajesh) in writing. It is further clarified and agreed that
save and except as provided herein no prevailing decisions including
appointment of Directors/ Executives or any other persons shall
continue unless Rama and Ramesh (or Rajesh) consent to the same
in writing.
D
(e) All the collections coming in cash shall continue to be remitted
in the Lank accounts of the Company and all transactions will only
be made in the form of cheques and/or as may hereafter be agreed to
between Rama and Ramesh (or Rajesh).

(f) All bank accounts of the Company shall continue to be operated E
jointly by any two out of the three Directors namely Rama, Ramesh
and Rajesh and/or as may hereafter be agreed to between Rama and
Ramesh (or Rajesh). If the amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. IO
(ten) lacs the same_ shall be undertaken through a cheque signed
jointly by Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh.
F
9. The consent terms also provided for the performance of various
actions by the parties which are not necessary to be recorded. It is sufficient
to note that all the agreed actions were to be performed by the petitioners
group before 1.1.2002.

10. When the matter appeared in the list on 8.1.2002 the Court recorded G
that all the eight suits and proceedings withdrawn from other courts had been
transmitted. The petitioner's suits were disposed of in terms of the minutes
of the consent order incorporated in the proceedings passed by this Court on
12.12.2001. The order dated 8th January, 2002 further provided:-
H
I 106 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A "All the above are now being disposed of in tenns of the minutes of
consent order incorporated in the proceedings passed by us on
12.12.2001.

The decree will be drawn up in tenns of the minutes of the consent
order."
B
11. On the allegation that the two respondents had violated the terms
of the orders specially the clauses 3(c), (d) and (f) of the consent minutes,
this contempt petition has been filed. It is also the case of the petitioner that
the violations of the orders had been admitted by the respondents. According
to the petitioner the violations amounted to a willful disobedience of the
C orders dated 12.12.200 I and 8.1.2002 and were punishable under this Court's
power of contempt.

12. This Court issued notice on the petitioner's application on 9th May,
2003. This Court initiated contempt proceedings on 15th September, 2003 at
D the behest of the petitioner. It may be pertinent to mention that this Court
requested Justice V. A. Mohta, a retired Chief Justice of the Orissa High
Court to act as a mediator for settlement of disputes between the parties.
Despite very serious efforts by the mediator, the settlement could not be
arrived at between the parties.
•
E 13. The contempt petition was directed to be listed in the Court. A
preliminary objection was taken regarding the maintainability of the contempt
petition. According to the respondents, in the absence of the undertaking
given to the Court and an allegation that such an undertaking had been
violated, this Court could not exercise its jurisdiction over mere violation of
the tenns of the consent order. According to the respondents, the order dated
F 12.12.2001 has been implemented within the stipulated time. The respondents
also pleaded that order dated 12.12.200 I had merged in the final order dated
8.1.2002.

14. A three-Judge Bench of this Court in Rama Narang v. Ramesh
Narang & Anr., reported in (2006) 4 Scale 280 came to a definite finding that
G violation of the tenns of the consent order would amount to violation of the
court's orders dated 12.12.2001 and 8.1.2002. The relevant para 37 of the ·•
Rama Narang's judgment (supra) reads as under:

"In the present case, the consent terms arrived at between the parties
was incorporated in the orders passed by the Court on 12th December
H
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.) J l 07

) 200 I and 8th January 2002. The decree as drawn up shows that order A
dated 8th January, 2002 was to be "punctually observed and carried
into execution by all concerned''. A violation of the terms of the
consent order would amount to a violation of the Court's orders dated
12th December 200 I and 8th January 2002 and, therefore be
punishable under the first limb of Section 2(b) of the Contempt of B
Courts Act, 1971.'

15. The preliminary objection raised by the respondents regarding
maintainability of the contempt petition was rejected. Now, the issue which
arises for adjudication is whether the respondents have violated the tenns of
the undertaking given to the Court and if so, what are its consequences? C
16. The petitioner has narrated various instances of violation of the
undertaking given to the Court by the respondents leading to contempt of
court. The parties have filed the detailed written submissions. The relevant
paragraphs of the written submissions filed by the petitioner read as under:

"The petitioner states that the consent terms agreed between the parties
D
on which a decree was drawn, it was inter alia agreed that:

"3. The following directions issued by this court in the above matter
are re-affinned and agreed to by the parties as follows:

(a) ................... . E
(b) ................... .

(c) Rama and Ramesh shall continue to be in joint management and
control of NIHL and Rajesh shall continue to be the 'Permanent
Whole Time Director' thereof in charge of day to day operations/ F
management.

(d) No decision shall be adopted concerning or affecting the said
Company (and its subsidiaries) without the consent of Rama and

-
Ramesh (or Rajesh) in writing. It is further clarified and agreed that
save and except as provided herein no prevailing decisions including G
appointment of Directors/Executives or any other persons shall
continue unless Rama and Ramesh (or Rajesh) consent to the same
in writing.

(e) All transactions coming in cash shall continue to be remitted in
the bank accounts of the Company and all transactions will only be H
1108 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A made in the form of cheques and/or as may hereafter be agreed to
between Rama and Ramesh (or Rajesh).

(f) All bank accounts of the Company shall continue to be operated
jointly by any two out of the three Directors namely Rama, Ramesh
and Rajesh and/or as may hereafter be agreed to between Rama and
B Ramesh (or Rajesh). Ifthe amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. IO
(ten) lacs the same shall be undertaken through a cheque signed
jointly by Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh."

The clear and manifest intention of the parties was that the
petitioner had a say/role in management and affairs of the company
c and all transactions above Rs. IO lakhs required his signature. The
respondents have in a systematic and continuous manner violated this
',
understanding between the parties and in a blatant and defiant manner
have breached the order passed by this Court and have till date
continued to do so with impunity, which undermines the majesty of
the court as it shows scant regard and respect for the order passed by
D
this Court.

The petitioner further states that in these proceedings this Court
also passed the following order dated 25.01.2005:

"by reference to paragraph 3(f) of the minutes of consent order
E dated 12.12.2001, we clarify that the amount of Rs.JO lakhs
mentioned in that clause refers to a transaction and not to the
amount of a cheque; meaning thereby, by splitting up the amount
of any transaction in two or more parts the cheques cannot be
issued if the amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. I0 lakhs."
F 17. According to the petitioner, the respondents have deliberately
violated the said order by their contumacious conduct. The petitioner alleged
that there has been gross violation of Clause 3(f) of the minutes of consent
order. He has given numerous instances in support of his submission. Some
of the instances are reproduced as under:
G .. Violation of Clauses 3 (e) & (/)

(i) The respondents have repeatedly split up the amount of a
transaction into multiple cheques of less than Rs. I0 lakhs each
where the total value of the transaction exceeded Rs. I 0 lakhs,
so as to circumvent Clause 3(f) of the consent terms which
H
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 1109

/. provided that if the amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. I0 A
lakhs the same shall be undertaken through a cheque jointly
signed by Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh. This is despite the fact
that the language used in the consent order was clear that
"transactions" above an amount of Rs. I0 lakh, and not "cheques"
above Rs. I0 lakhs, required the signature of both Rama and
Ramesh/Rajesh. This was also explicitly clarified by an order of
B
this Court dated January 25, 2005 in the present proceedings
between the parties which stated as under:
by reference to paragraph 3(f) of the minutes of consent
order dated 12.12.2001, we clarify that the amount of Rs.JO
lakhs mentioned in that clause refers to a transaction and not c
to the amount of a cheque; meaning thereby, by splitting the
amount of any transaction in two or more parts the cheques
cannot be issued if the amount of any transaction exceeds
Rs.JO lakhs."
(ii) The respondents have contended that pursuant to a resolution D
dated February 27, 2002 which provides the ability to delegate
the powers to operate the bank account, cheques above the value
of Rs. I0 lakhs are not required to be jointly signed by Rama
and Ramesh/Rajesh. It is submitted that (a) it is not possible for
a resolution to override the consent terms, and (b) the resolution
E
only provides that the powers to "operate" the bank accounts,
which is with any two out of the three directors as per the
consent terms may be delegated - it does not provide that the
authority to sign cheques above the value of Rs. I 0 lakhs may be
delegated. On the contrary, the resolution specifically provides
that "if the amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. I0 lakhs the F
same shall be undertaken through a cheque jointly signed by
Mr. Rama Narang and Mr. Ramesh Narang (or Mr. Rajesh
Narang)".

- ..
18. According to the petitioner, the following instances would reveal
how the Court's orders have been flouted by the respondents in a clandestine G
manner both in letter and spirit.

(i) "Purchase of cars: The respondents purchased a Ford Mondeo,
Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla, and proposed to purchase a
BMW, all transactions above the value of Rs. I 0 lakhs, admittedly
without the consent of Rama Naraog, and as the record evidences, H
1110 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2007] 3 S.C.R.

A by issuing multiple cheques just under the value of Rs. I0 lakhs. .\
The respondents have, in their reply argued that the general
Clause 3(h) which provides that "all three directors will enjoy
equal remuneration and perquisites" gives them the right to give
themselves remuneration and perquisites of over 10 lakhs without
the consent of the other directors. It is submitted that not only
B is this against the principles of contractual interpretation that the
specific overrides the general but it also defeats the very purpose
of Clause 3(f). Clause 3(f) is intended to control precisely this
kind of mischief where persons with signing authority siphon ..
off funds by purporting to give themselves valuable perks or
c cash. Further, there is a mechanism provided under company
law pursuant to which directors' remuneration and perquisites
are fixed and Clause 3(h) is only intended to provide that when
such remuneration and perquisites are fixed in accordance with
that mechanism, the same shall be fixed for all the three. Finally,
it is submitted that the cars used by Rama Narang are more than
D I0-15 years old and therefore, the very basis of their contention
that the cars were purchased to obtain the same perks as Rama
Narang is incorrect.
(ii) Fixed Deposits : The respondents have undertaken to invest
Rs.39 crores of the company by means of a fixed deposit and
E in order to circumvent the requirement of having to obtain the
consent of Rama Narang for such transaction, have split the
fixed deposits into multiple deposits of Rs.9 lakhs each. The
respondents, in their reply, have admitted to not having obtained
Rama Narang's consent (which is also evident from the objection
F raised by Rama Narang in his letter dated 20.10.2003, 11.5.2005
and 10.07.2006; and sought to justify placing the fixed deposits
without Rama Narang's consent on the basis that "Rama Narang
wishes to cause a deadlock in the operations of the company by
ensuring that the application of company funds are always subject

G
to his consent which he can withhold, thereby pressurizing the
respondents". It is submitted that the consent terms explicitly
contemplate consent of Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh for application ..
-
of the company's funds and such a statement by the respondents
is evidence of their disregard for the letter and spirit of the
consent terms.
H (iii) Foreign Travel: Two different cheques totaling approximately
RAMA NARA NG v. RAMESH NA RANG (DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.) J J I I

; Rs.12.5 lakhs were issued within one day of each other towards A
the cost of foreign exchange for the same "business trip", for
which no consent of Rama Narang was taken. Similarly, foreign
trips were undertaken by the respondents and family without
approval of the petitioner also in violation of Clause 3(d), and
payments of air tickets and other expenses were made by issuing B
multiple cheques. The respondents have argued that the said
transaction is justified on the basis that Rama Narang has on
numerous occasions undertaken foreign visits at the company
expense with no objection being raised by the other directors. It
is pertinent to note that for each such foreign visit, Rama Narang
has sought and obtained the approval of Ramesh/Rajesh in C
accordance with the consent terms. Notwithstanding whether
Rama took, or did not take approval from Ramesh/Rajesh, it is
no justification in law for Ramesh/Rajesh to violate the consent
terms."

19. According to the petitioner, there has been clear violation of Clause D
3(c) also. Respondent nos. I and 2 and particularly respondent no.2 have
taken absolute control of the company NIHL to the total exclusion of the
petitioner. All the management decisions and other decisions affecting the
company are being taken by Rajesh Narang, the whole-time Director under
the guise of the day to day operation/management in clear violation of Clause E
3(c) of the consent terms which states that Rama and Ramesh shall continue
to be in "joint management and control".·

20. According to the petitioner, he was not being consulted. The
petitioner has been deliberately kept out of the.management and control of
the company. The tender items running into 40 crores per year are entered F
into without his consent.

21. The petitioner has given following instances of violation of Clause
3(c):-

a. "Executing High-value Contracts : The respondents have entered G
into several high value coRtracts admittedly without the.consent
of Rama Narang. Instances include with Pacific Enterprises of
a value ofRs.27.85 lakhs, for replacement of Hi-lifts ofa value
of Rs.24 lakhs each, for purchase of DG set of a value of Rs. 70
lakhs, and for a chiller plant for Bombay flight kitchen. In each
of these cases, the record also evidences that multiple cheques H
1112 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A under the value of Rs. I0 lakhs were issued. While the respondents
-l
have contended that there was no splitting of cheques, and that
these contracts were essential to the business, it is submitted
that the fact relevant for the purposes of contempt is that a
transaction outside the ordinary course of business was entered
into and that a transaction over the value of Rs. I 0 lakhs was
B undertaken without a cheque jointly signed by Rama and Ramesh/
Rajesh, thereby violating Clause 3 (c), 3(d) and 3(f) and the
spirit of the consent order. It is further submitted that the
contention that the contracts were essential to the business of
the Company, and therefore, consent of Rama Narang was not
c required, is not tenable - on the contrary, contracts that are
essential to the business of the Company come within the purview
of "decisions concerning or affecting the said company" that
explicitly require the approval of Rama Narang pursuant to
Clause 3(d) of the consent terms.

D b. Holding-back information sought for by Rama Narang. It is
submitted that refusal and blocking of information about the
company is the most grave and blatant violation of the clause
}
mandating "joint management" and is clear evidence of his
complete exclusion from management of the company.

E c. Settlement with Trade Union was unilaterally undertaken by the
respondents and the petitioner was only asked to sign enhance
salary cheques which was refused by the petitioner as he was
not consulted as being a management decision.
d. Other instances of violation include the Leave and License
Agreement entered into by Rajesh Narang and opening of
F
Croissant outlets without the consent of the petitioner, Rama
Narang. The respondents have sought to justify these actions on
the basis of "day to day" operations. It is submitted that there
are total of only 11 Croissant outlets that have been opened over
the course of several years and the opening of a new outlet, and
G the taking of high-value lease therefrom, is a strategic and
business decision and not something undertaken on a "day-to-
~

day" basis."

22. The petitioner also asserted that there is a clear violation of Clause
(d) of the Court's order which reads as under:
H
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 1113

'The respondents have unilaterally, without the consent of Rama A
).
Narang, taken several decisions affecting the Company including
unilateral appointment and promotion of personnel such as Vice-
Presidents (Accounts) etc.; issuance of tenders and executing contracts
outside the ordinary course of business, in clear violation of Clause
3(d) of the consent terms which requires that "no decision shall be
adopted concerning or affecting the Company and its subsidiaries
B
shall be made without the consent of Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh in
writing". The respondents contend that decisions relating to
appointment only relate to "prevailing decisions". It is submitted that
the first part of Clause 3(d) which states that "no decision shall be
adopted concerning or affecting the company" includes decisions c
adopted to appoint or promote personnel to the extent such appointment
or promotion affects or concerns the Company. However, since the
first part of Clause 3(d) relates only to decisions that are to be adopted,
it did not cover the continuation of personnel already appointed and
the latter part of clause 3(d) which states that "it is further clarified
and agreed that save and except as provided therein no prevailing D
decisions including appointment of Directors/Executives or any other
persons shall continue unless Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh consent to
' the same in writing" was to expand the operation of part I of Clause
3(d) also to prevailing decisions of appointment.

It is clear from the above that the Consent Order is continuously E
being wilfully violated by the respondents even after the filing of the
contempt petition before this Court in 2003, after the clarification
order issued by this Court dated 25.1.2005 and even after the order
and judgment of this Court dated 14.4.2006."
F
y
23. In the written submissions filed by the respondents, considerable
emphasis has been given on the background and conduct of the petitioner and
the order dated 15.2.1995 in Notice of Motion No. 2646 of 1994 in Suit
No.3535 of 1994 of Justice D. R. Dhanuka of the Bombay High Court and
the report of the court mediator Justice V.A. Mohta. It is also incorporated
in the written submissions that the petitioner is deriving all possible advantage G
from an alleged technical breach of the consent terms which too is based on
interpretation of the' consent terms contrary to the mutual understanding of
the parties.

24. The respondents submitted that it was never the intention of the
parties that (the company with an annual turnover of over Rs.120 crores), the H
1114 SUPREME COURT REJPORTS (2007] 3 S.C. R.

A petitioner should enjoy a veto power over the company transactions whose
value exceeds ·Rs. I 0 lakhs, allowing the petitioner to create a deadlock.

25. The respondents also submitted that the petitioner at no point of
time made any complaint regarding the conduct of the respondents either by
sending a letter of protest or otherwise. It is also submitted that the petitioner
B had not objected to purchase of cars, purchase of hi-lifts etc. In the contempt
application, the petitioner has highlighted clear breach of Clauses 3(d), 3(c),
3(e) and 3(t). The petitioner submitted that there has been gross violation of
Clause 3(t) of the agreement. Clause 3(t) reads as under:

"If the amount of any 'transaction' (read 'payment/disbursement')
c exceeds Rs. I0 (ten) lakhs the same shall be undertaken through a
cheque signed jointly by Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh."

26. The respondents also submitt~d that immediately after the consent
terms, the circular resolution dated 27.2.2002 was entered into between the
D parties. The said resolution reads as under:

"RESOLVED THAT any two out of three Directors of the Company
namely Mr. Rama Narang, Mr. Ramesh Narang and Mr. Rajesh
Narang, be and are hereby jointly authorized to open and close bank
accounts and place fixed deposits with such banks and on such terms
and conditions as they deem fit and proper and to operate and issue
E
instructions to the said bankers as well as the existing bankers of the
company."

27. The respondents submitted that clause 3(t) was meant purely for
operation of bank accounts and as an instruction to the ·company bankers is
F borne out by the fact that through the aforesaid circular resolution dated
27.2.2002, Rama Narang and Ramesh Narang inter alia resolved that if the
amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. I0 lakhs, the same shall be undertaken
through cheques signed jointly by Rama Narang and Ramesh Narang (or
Rajesh Narang) and further resolved that certified copies of the said circular
resolution be forwarded to the company's bankers as required. If the portion
G of clause 3(t) at the issue was not intended as an instruction to the bankers,
why would the circular resolution dated 27.2.2002 be passed? Again, there
was no explanation from Rama Narang. The respondents had tried to give
explanation for splitting the cheques where amount exceeded Rs. I0 lakhs.
The respondents gave explanation that a Ford Mondeo car and a Honda
H Accord car were purchased by the company in June 2002 by the respondents
RAMA NARANGv. RAMESHNARANG [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 1115

by splitting the value of each car when exceeded Rs. I 0 lakhs so as to byepass A
) the signature of the petitioner. The explanation given by the respondents that
for the payment terms for purchase of the said vehicles, 50% payment was
to be made at the time of placing of the order and 50% at the time of delivery
of the vehicles.

28. The respondents have also given explanation for purchase of BMW B
car valued at Rs.30 lakhs for the use of Ramesh Narang as Joint Director on
16.8.2002. In September 2002, Ramesh Narang suggested the purchase by
the company of an identical BMW car for the use of the petitioner. However,
the petitioner made it clear that he preferred a Mercedes and accordingly
steps were taken to cancel the second BMW car for the petitioner. But the
respondents failed to give any explanation how the payment for the first
c
BMW car for the use of Ramesh Narang was made.

29. Similarly, the respondents gave explanation for purchase of Toyota
Corolla car by the company for the use of respondent no.2 by allegedly
splitting the transaction whose value exceeded Rs. I 0 lacs by issuing two D
cheques. The explanation is that the respondents gave Rs.4 lakhs as advance
and the balance amount was paid against delivery.

30. The respondents gave explanation regarding their visit abroad that
initially they planned to visit U.K., Denmark and Northwest and later on
Switzerland and Sweden were also added. Therefore, two cheques were given. E
The respondents also gave an explanation that the fixed deposits holdings of
the company totaling approximately Rs.39 crores have been split by the
respondents into smaller deposits of Rs.9 lakhs each. The explanation given
was that circular resolution dated 2 7.2.2002 authorized any two Directors of
the company to jointly open and close bank accounts, for the respondents
F
failed to give any explanation why the fixed deposits of Rs.39 crores were
y
split into smaller deposits of Rs.9 lacs each. The explanation given was that
high-lift vehicles were purchased separately and then assembled rather than
purchasing a fully assembled vehicle. The respondents have similarly given
explanation for other transactions where the cheques amount had been split
by the respondents. Similar explanation has been given regarding tender of G
high-lifts totaling Rs.40 Jakhs without consulting the petitioner and regarding
unilateral promotion of persons.

31. The explanations given by the respondents for splitting up the
cheques are wholly untenable. In case of genuine difficulty or confusion, the
respondents ought to have approached the Court for directions. H
1116 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2007] 3 S.C.R.

A 32. The object of entering into consent terms and jointly filing the
undertaking was to run the family business harmoniously with the active
participation of all as a family business but tht: respondents had taken absolute
control of the company NIHL to the total exclusion of the petitioner. All the
management decisions and other decisions affecting the company were taken
B by the respondent Rajesh Narang, the whole time Director under the guise of
the day to day operation/management in clear violation of clause 3(c) of the
consent terms which clearly state that Rama Narang and Ramesh Narang
shall continue to be in joint management and control. The parties gave
undertaking to the court regarding the consent terms.

C 33. The respondents have erroneously submitted that joint management
and control of the company means giving veto power to the petitioner.
According to the terms of undertaking the petitioner and the respondents
were under an obligation to run the company harmoniously with the active
participation of all as a family business but unfortunately the respondents
have taken absolute control to the total exclusion of the petitioner. This is
D contrary to the terms of the undertaking given to this Court.
34. In this case the respondents have deliberately violated the otders of
this Court dated 12.12.2001 and 8.1.2002 based on the undertaking given by
the parties to this Court. We have been called upon to decide whether deliberate
breach of undertaking can attract Section 2(b) of the Contempt of Courts Act.
E Before we examine the issue further, it is imperative to clearly comprehend
the expression 'undertaking' with the help of settled law which has been
crystallized in a large number of cases of this Court.

35. Black's Law Dictionary, 5th Edition defines 'undertaking' in the
F following words:

"A Promise, engagement, or stipulation. An engagement by one
of the parties to a contract to the other, as distinguished from the
mutual engagement of the parties to each other. It does not necessarily
imply a consideration. In a somewhat special sense, a promise given
G in the course of legal proceedings by a party or his counsel, generally
as a condition to obtaining some concession from the Court or the
opposite party. A promise or security in any form.'

36. Osborn's Concise Law Dictionary, I0th Edition defines 'undertaking'
in the following words:
H
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG (DAL VEER BHANDARI. J.] 1117

"A promise, especially a promise in the course of legal proceedings A
) by a party or his counsel which may be enforced by attachment or
otherwise in the same manner as an injunction."

37. In M v. Home Office, [1992] 4 All ER 97 at p.132, the expression
'undertaking' has been dealt with in the following manner:
B
"If a party, or solicitors or counsel on his behalf, so act as to convey
to the court the firm conviction that an undertaking is being given,
that party will be bound and it will be no answer that he did not think
... that he was giving it or that he was misunderstood."

38. In re Hudson [1966] Ch. 209 the English Court observed as under: C

"An undertaking to the court confers no personal right or remedy on
any other party. The only sanctions for breach are imprisonment for
contempt, sequestration or a fine."

39. Similarly, in Shoreham-by-Sea U.D.C. v. Dolphin Canadian Proteins, D
(1972) 71 L.G.R. 261, the Court observed as under:

"Failure to comply with an undertaking to abate a nuisance may be
visited with a substantial fine."

40. The Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in Bajranglal E
Gangadhar Khemka & Anr. v. Kapurchand Ltd, reported in AIR (1950)
Bombay 336 had an occasion to deal with similar facts. Chagla, C.J., speaking
for the Court, observed as under:

"We are not prepared to accept a position which seems to us contrary
to the long practice that has been established in this Court, and, F
apparently, also in England. There is no reason why even in a consent
decree a party may not give an undertaking to the Court. Although
the Court may be bound to record a compromise, still, when the
Court passes a decree, it puts its imprimatur upon those terms and
makes the terms a rule of the Court; and it would be open to the
Court, before it did so, to accept an undertaking given by a party to G
the Court. Therefore, there is nothing contrary to any provision of the
law whereby an undertaking cannot be given by a party to the Court
in the consent decree, which undertaking can be enforced by proper
committal proceedings."
H
1118 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007) 3 S.C.R.

A 41. In Noorali Babu! Thanewala v. K.M.M. Shelly & Ors., reported in
( 1990) I SCC 259, a tenant committed breach of undertaking given by him ~
to the Supreme Court to deliver vacant possession of certain premises. The
Supreme Court held the tenant guilty of contempt. Hon'ble V. Ramaswami,
J., delivering the judgment observed:

B "When a court accepts an undertaking given by one of the parties and
passes orders based on such undertaking, the order amounts in
substance to an injunction restraining that party from acting in breach
thereof. The breach of an undertaking given to the Court by or on
behalf of a party to a civil proceedings is, therefore, regarded as
tantamount to a breach of injunction although the remedies were not
c always identical. For the purpose of enforcing an undertaking that
undertaking is treated as an order so that an undertaking, if broken,
would involve the same consequences on the persons breaking that
undertaking as would their disobedience to an order for an injunction.
It is settled law that breach of an injunction or breach of an undertaking
D given to a court by a person in a civil proceeding on the faith of
which the court sanctions a particular course of action is misconduct
amounting to contempt."

42. In Mohd. Aslam v. Union of India, reported in [1994] 6 SCC 442,
this Court dealt with the contempt proceedings raising the issues as to the
E amenability of the State and of its Ministers for failure of obedience to the
judicial pronouncements. In this case, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
had made a statement before National Integration Council that the Government
of Uttar Pradesh will hold itself fully responsible for the protection of the
Ram Janma Bhumi-Babri Masjid structures. Upon this statement of the Chief
F Minister, this Court had passed an order. However, in the contempt proceedings
it was alleged that the orders passed on the basis of the statements made have
been deliberately and wilfully flouted and disobeyed by the State of Uttar
Pradesh. While dealing with the expression "undertaking", this Court observed
as under:

G "The Chief Minister having given a solemn assurance to the National
Integration Council and permitted the terms of that assurance to be
incorporated as his own undertaking to this court and allowed an
order to be passed in those terms cannot absolve himself of the
responsibility unless he placed before the Court sufficient material
which would justify that he had taken all reasonable steps and
H
RAMA NARANG v. RAMESH NARANG [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.) ] J J9

) precautions to prevent the occurrence." A
43. Jn Rita Markandey v. Surjit Singh Arora, reported in (1996] 6 SCC
14, this Court came to the conclusion that even if the parties have not riled
an undertaking before the Court, but if the Court is induced to sanction a
particular course of action or inaction on the basis of the representation of
such a party and the court ultimately finds that the party never intended to B
act on such representation or such representation was false, even then the
party would be guilty of committing contempt of court. The Court observed
as under:

"Law is well settled that if any party gives an undertaking to the
Court to vacate the premises from which he is liable to be evicted C
under the orders of the Court and there is a clear and deliberate
breach thereof it amounts to civil contempt but since, in the present
case, the respondent did not file any undertaking as envisaged in the
order of this Court the question of his being punished for breach
thereof does not arise. However, in our considered view even in a D
case where no such undertaking is given, a party to a litigation may
be held liable for such contempt if the Court is induced to sanction
a particular course of action or inaction on the basis of the
representation of such a party and the Court ultimately finds that the
party never intended to act on such representation or such
representation was false." E
44. In KCG Verghese v. KT Rajendran, reported in [2003] 2 SCC 492,
this Court dealt with the "undertaking" in contempt proceedings arising out
of eviction proceedings. This Court held that when at the time of giving the
undertaking, the tenant did not indicate that he was in possession of a part
)r of the premises and not the other portion nor was such a stand taken in any F
of the pleadings before the High Court or rent controller, the order of eviction
· passed against the tenant is equally binding upon the occupant of the other
portion.

45. This Court again had occasion to deal with a case in Bank of G
Baroda v. Sadruddin Hasan Daya and Anr., reported in (2004] 1 SCC 360.
In that case, the Court clearly observed as under:

"The wilful breach of an undertaking given to a court amounts to
"civil contempt" within the meaning of Section 2(b) of the Contempt
of Courts Act. The respondents having committed breach of the H
1120 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2007] 3 S.C.R.

A undertaking given to the Supreme Court in the consent terms they are
clearly liable for having committed contempt of court."

46. The respondents placed reliance on Babu Ram Gupta v. Sudhir
Bhasin & Anr., reported in [1980]' 3 SCC 47. In this case admittedly no
application, affidavit or any undertaking were given by the appellant.
B Therefore, this case is of no assistance to the respondents. In this case, the
Court observed that "even the consent order does not incorporate expressly
or clearly that any such undertaking had been given either by the appellant
or by his lawyer before the Court that he would handover possession of the
•
property to the receiver. In the absence of any express undertaking given by
C the appellant or any undertaking incorporated in the order impugned, it will
be difficult to hold that the appellant wilfully disobeyed or committed breach
of such an undertaking".

47. The Court even in this case observed that "in fact, the reason why
a breach of clear undertaking given to the court amounts to contempt of court
D is that the contemnor by making a false representation to the court obtains a
benefit for himself and if he fails to honour the undertaking, he plays a
serious fraud on the court itself and thereby obstructs the course of justice I
and brings into disrepute the judicial institution".

48. The critical analysis of the decided cases of this Court clearly leads
E to the conclusion that wilful breach of an undertaking given to the Court
amounts to contempt of court under Section 2(b) of the Act.

49. The orders of this Court dated 12th December, 2001 and 8th January,
2002 are based on undertaking given by the petitioner and the respondents
to this Court. Apart from several other conditions it is explicitly incorporated
F in the undertaking given to this Court that the petitioner and the respondents
shall jointly operate the bank accounts (if the amount of any transaction
exceeded Rs. JO lakhs) in order to ensure that both the petitioner and the
respondents have the joint control on the affairs of the company. In the
undertaking given by the petitioner and the respondents, it is clearly mentioned
G that if the amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. I0 lakhs the same shall be
undertaken through a cheque signed jointly by Rama Narang and Ramesh/
Rajesh Narang.

50. Clause 3(f) of the undertaking given to the Court on 8.1.2002 reads
as under:
H
RAMANARANGv. RAMESHNARANG[DALVEERBHANDARU.] 1121

) "(t) All bank accounts of the Company shall continue to be operated A
jointly by any two out of the three Directors namely Rama, Ramesh
and Rajesh and/or as may hereafter be agreed to between Rama and
Ramesh (or Rajesh). If the amount of any transaction exceeds Rs. 10
(ten) lacs the same shall be undertaken through a cheque signed
jointly by Rama and Ramesh/Rajesh."
B
51. The parties gave undertaking with the object of having joint
management and control of the company. The object of joint management
and control can be accomplished if every major decisions of the company are
taken jointly with the express consent of the· petitioner and the respondents.
The petitioner in the application for contempt has enlisted series of instances C
where in order to keep the petitioner out of the management and control of
the company where the amount of transaction exceeded Rs.IO lakhs, the
payment was made by splitting the amount in two or more cheques. This
subterfuge was adopted to keep the petitioner out of the control of the
management and company. The respondents were, in fact successful in keeping
the petitioner totally out of the management and control of the company. This D
situation carried on for years together. This was absolutely contrary to the
letter and spirit of the undertaking given by the parties to this Court. The
orders dated 12th December, 2001 and 8th January, 2002 are based on' the
undertaking given by the parties. The respondents blatantly and deliberately
violated the orders of this Court based on the undertaking given to the Court. E
Consequently, the respondents are guilty of deliberately flouting and
disregarding the undertaking given to this Court.

52. In order to maintain sanctity of the orders of the highest court of
the country, it has become imperative that those who are guilty of deliberately
disregarding the orders of the Court in a clandestine manner should be p
appropriately punished. The Majesty of the Court and the Rule of Law can
never be maintained unless this Court ensures meticulous compliance of its
orders.

53. We have carefully perused the undertaking given by the parties to
the Court and orders of this Court dated 12th December, 2001 and 8th January, G
2002 based on the undertaking of the parties given to this Court and other
relevant facts and circumstances. According to our considered view the
respondents are clearly guilty of committing contempt of court by deliberate
and wilful disobedience of the undertaking given by them to this Court. In
this view of the matter, in order to maintain sanctity of the orders of this H
1122 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2007] 3 S.C.R.

A Court, the respondents must receive appropriate punishment for deliberately
flouting the orders of this Court.

54. Consequently, we convict the respondents under Section 2 (b) of
the Contempt of Courts Act and sentence them to a simple imprisonment for
a period of two months. We further impose a fine of Rs.2000/- to be deposited
B by each of them within one week failing which they shall further undergo
imprisonment for one month.

55. We are also not oblivious of the fact that immediately sending the
respondents to jail would create total chaos in the company which would also
C vitally affect the interests of large number of people including the employees
of the company. Therefore, while keeping in view the peculiar facts and
circumstances of this case, the sentence of imprisonment imposed on the
respondents is kept in abeyance. We further direct the parties to meticulously
comply with the undertakings given by them to this Court. In case, similar
violation of the undertakings given to this Court is brought to the notice of
D the Court, in that event, the respondents shall be sent to jail forthwith to serve
out the sentence imposed in this case.

56. This order is passed in view of the special facts and circumstances
of this case. The Contempt Application is accordingly disposed of.

E V.S.S. Contempt Application disposed of.