A Yelamanda Vs Y Sri Lakshmi, I.A.S — Contempt of Court | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

A Yelamanda Vs Y Sri Lakshmi, I.A.S — Contempt of Court | Andhra Pradesh HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Contempt case closed without imposing punishment; unconditional apology of the respondents accepted as bonafide and lenient view taken; respondents cautioned to implement Court orders in true letter and spirit in future; no order as to costs; miscellaneous petitions, if any, stand closed as a sequel.

Issue for consideration

Whether the respondents committed wilful disobedience of the order dated 28.09.2022 in W.P.No.29330 of 2022 passed by this Court, warranting punishment under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. +1 more

Court's answer

Taking the unconditional apology tendered by the respondents as bonafide, the Court took a lenient view against them in the contempt case to meet the ends of justice.

Ratio / Principle

On careful perusal of the record, the Court found that admittedly there was delay in implementing its order in W.P.No.29330 of 2022 in its true letter and spirit within the time stipulated.

Key takeaways

The respondents who were present before the Court tendered their unconditional apology for the delay in implementing the order.ratio¶45
Accordingly, the Contempt Case was closed without imposing punishment on the contemnors.ratio¶47
The respondents were cautioned to be more careful and vigilant in implementing the orders of this Court in their true letter and spirit in future.obiter¶48

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, Sections 10-12 - Wilful disobedience - Alleged non-compliance of order dated 28.09.2022 in W.P.No.29330 of 2022 - On perusal of record, Court found admitted delay in implementing the order in its true letter and spirit within the time stipulated - Respondents, who were present, tendered unconditional apology - Court, taking the apology as bonafide, took a lenient view and closed the contempt case without imposing punishment - Respondents cautioned to be more careful and vigilant in implementing Court orders in true letter and spirit in future - No order as to costs - Miscellaneous petitions, if any, closed as sequel.

APHC010116232023

[3207]

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

FRIDAY,THE SIXTH DAY OF MARCH TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

CONTEMPT CASE NO: 1551/2023

Between:

A YELAMANDA, S/O KOTAIAH, AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS,CONTRACTOR, R/O 2-30,KAMBALAPADU, PODILI MANDAL, PRAKASAM DISTRICT

...PETITIONER

AND

Y SRI LAKSHMI I A S, THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, PANCHAYATRAJ AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, SECRETARIAT BUILD INGS,VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR.

S S RAWAT, THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT,VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR.

M GIRIJA SHANKAR, THE COMMISSIONER, PANCHAYATRAJ AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, NAKKAL ROAD, SURYARAOPET, VIJAYAWADA, KRISHNA DISTRICT.

K DINESH KUMAR, THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR (PANCHAYATRAJ WING), PRAKASAM DISTRICT AT ONGOLE.

Y KOTESWA RAOY, THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, PRI DIVISION, MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE (MGNREG) SCHEME, KANDUKUR, PRAKASAM DISTRICT

...CONTEMNOR(S):

Petition under Sections 10 to 12 of Contempt of Courts Act 1971 praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit file herein the High Court may

2

be pleased to pleased to punish the Contemnors herein for willfully disobeying the orders of this Hon'ble High Court passed by His Lordship Sri Justice BATTU DEVANAND in W.P.No. 29330/2022, dt. 28.09.2022 and in such a way as this Hon'ble High Court deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case

IA NO: 1 OF 2026

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased May be pleased to permit the petitioner to substitute the name of Gopala Krishna Dwivedi for the respondent in place of Y.Sri Lakshmi in CC.No.1551/2023 pending disposal of the above CC and pass

IA NO: 2 OF 2026

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased May be pleased to Dispense with of the personal Appearance of the respondent No.4 on the C.C.No.1551 of 2023 and pass

IA NO: 3 OF 2026

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased May be pleased to dispense with the personal appearance of the Respondent No.4 on 20.02.2026 inC.C. No.1551of2023 in the interest of justice.

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1.L J VEERA REDDY

Counsel for the Contemnor(S):

1.RAMA RAO KOCHIRI

The Court made the following:

3

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

CONTEMPT CASE No.1551 of 2023

ORDER:

This contempt case is filed complaining the wilful disobedience of the order dated 28.09.2022 in W.P.No.29330 of 2022 passed by this Court.

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondents.

Learned counsel for the respondents, on instructions, would submit that the order of the Court is complied with.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner also endorsed the same, but would submit that the order of the Court is not complied with within the time stipulated by the Court and, as such, the compliance is not in the true letter and spirit.

On careful perusal of the record, it reveals that admittedly there is delay in implementing the order of the Court in its true letter and spirit within time stipulated by the Court. In fact, this Court number of times advised the respondents to be more careful and conscious in implementing the orders of the Court within the time stipulated. However, it appears that there is no change in the attitude of the officers. In the present case also admittedly there is delay. When this Court asked the respondents who are present before this

4

Court about the delay occurred in implementing the orders of the Court, they

tendered their unconditional apology.

Taking into consideration of the unconditional apology tendered by them as bonafide, this Court intends to take lenient view against them in this contempt case to meet the ends of justice.

Accordingly, this Contempt Case is closed.

It is made it clear that the respondents shall be more careful and vigilant in implementing the orders of this Court in its true letter and spirit in future.

There shall be no order as to costs.

As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

__________________________ JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

Date: 06.03.2026 JLV

5

202

THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND

CONTEMPT CASE No.1551 of 2023

Dt.06.03.2026

JLV