Roton Hojai and 28 Ors. Vs Debanon Daulagupu and 5 Ors. — Contempt of Court | Gauhati HC (2025)

Roton Hojai and 28 Ors. Vs Debanon Daulagupu and 5 Ors. — Contempt of Court | Gauhati HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

No coercive relief; both contempt petitions were closed upon finding substantial compliance, with the written instructions dated 28.11.2023 and enclosures made part of the records and the petitioners left free to pursue fresh writ petitions WP(C)/853/2025 and WP(C)/4207/2024.

Issue for consideration

Whether the directions contained in the common judgment and order dated 01.11.2022 in WP(C)/6404/2022 and WP(C)/5784/2022 were wilfully and deliberately disobeyed so as to warrant continuation of the contempt proceedings.

Court's answer

The actions taken pursuant to the order dated 01.11.2022 show substantial compliance with the Court's directions; therefore there is no requirement to continue with these contempt cases.

Ratio / Principle

In exercising contempt jurisdiction the Court oversees only whether there has been willful and deliberate disobedience of its direction, since the consequences under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 are penal in nature.

Key takeaways

The Court expressly refrained from commenting on the correctness and legality of the actions taken pursuant to the order of 01.11.2022.ratio¶128
Closure of the contempt petitions causes no prejudice to the petitioners, who have instituted fresh writ petitions WP(C)/853/2025 and WP(C)/4207/2024; the written instructions with enclosures are made part of the records.ratio¶130

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Gauhati High Court (Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi), order dated 11-08-2025 in Cont.Cas(C)/279/2023 (Roton Hojai and 28 Ors.) with linked Cont.Cas(C)/280/2023 (Ronesh Thaosen and 44 Ors.) versus Debanon Daulagupu and 5 Ors. (N.C. Hills Autonomous Council / Public Works Road Department officials): contempt petitions alleging non-compliance with the directions in the common judgment and order dated 01.11.2022 passed in WP(C)/6404/2022 and WP(C)/5784/2022. Respondents produced written instructions dated 28.11.2023 recording spot verification and assessment; petitioners conceded the actions taken might not be strict compliance, having already filed fresh writ petitions WP(C)/4207/2024 and WP(C)/853/2025. Holding that contempt jurisdiction examines only willful and deliberate disobedience, the consequences under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 being penal in nature, the Court found substantial compliance, expressly declined to comment on the correctness or legality of the actions taken, and closed both petitions without prejudice to the pending fresh writ petitions.

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GAHC010099732023

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THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

Case No. : Cont.Cas(C)/279/2023

ROTON HOJAI AND 28 ORS. SON OF GILIDAO HOJAI, RESIDENT OF VILLAGE HARMUDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO, ASSAM. PIN-788819

2: NOJEN DIBRAGEDE SON OF LATE NAICHARON DIBRAGEDA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE PRABDISA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGBRA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

3: JIBON KEMPRAI

SON OF LATE HEMANTA KEMPRAI RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KOTA ARDHA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

4: HAMDI HAFLONGBAR SON OF BELHAM HAFLONGBAR RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KOTA ARDHA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

5: DEPOLAL NUNISA

SON OF LATE SAMONSING NUNISA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KOTA ARDHA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH

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DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

6: MOMILA PORBOSA

SON OF LATE BODENDRO KHERSA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KOTA ARDHA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

7: SANTILAL THAOSEN SON OF LATE NAISORN THAOSEN RESIDENT OF VILLAGE THAIJUWARI P.O. NASHINGWARI P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

8: PONILAL JIDUNG

SON OF PANDA JIDUNG RESIDENT OF VILLAGE THAIJUPANG P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

9: BROJENDRA NAIDING

SON OF LATE BAIDYANATH NAIDING RESIDENT OF VILLAGE PRABDISA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

10: PAIMENDRA NAIDING SON OF HAMNON NAIDING RESIDENT OF VILLAGE DELAISA P.O. AND P.S. GUNGJUNG DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

11: RENU JOHARI SON OF DINENDA NAIDING RESIDENT OF VILLAGE PRABDISA

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P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819 12: PULALI THOASEN WIFE OF SANJIB GIRI RESIDENT OF VILLAGE UPPAR THAIJUWARI P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

13: ANEN KEMPRAI SON OF SRI KALADARE KEMPRAI RESIDENT OF VILLAGE P. KUNGKRUWARI P.O. NASHINGWARI P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

14: DIMOSH SORONGPONG SON OF MONON SORONGPON RESIDENT OF VILLAGE SURANGDISA P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

15: BIDESH THAOSEN SON OF LATE SORONG THAOSEN RESIDENT OF VILLAGE THAIJUWARI P.O. NASHINGWARI P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

16: DIREN NAIDING SON OF DINON NAIDING RESIDENT OF VILLAGE LABRO P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

17: MONO KUMAR LANGTHASA

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SON OF LATE MAISIRON LANGTHASA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE LANGKULA P.O. NASINGULARI P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

18: PANDIT NAIDING SON OF H. NAIDING RESIDENT OF VILLAGE LANGKULA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM

19: JOYMAL HOJAI SON OF JOYPOLAL HOJAI RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KOTA ARDHA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

20: ANDEEP NAIDING SON OF BINONDO RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KOTA ARDHA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

21: ANIL NUNISA AGED ABOUT 61 YEARS SON OF LATE DONLAL NUNISA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE LANGMAISA DIKRING P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

22: RANGTHOLAL NUNISA SON OF PETANON NUNISA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE THAIJUPANG P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

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23: JOYBANON NUNISA SON OF JORMOJOY NUNISA RESIDENT OF DEHANGI TINALI P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI

DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

24: PARONJY NUNISA SON OF JAYBANON NUNISA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE DEHANGI TINALI P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI

DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM 25: GOJENDRA NAIDING SON OF DINENDRA NAIDING RESIDENT OF VILLAGE PRABDISA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819 26: SOREN HAGJER SON OF LATE PORSING HAGJER RESIDENT OF VILLAGE GAJO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819 27: RADATS NUNISA SON OF DARMANON NUNISA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE LANGMAISA DIKRING P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

28: MOKENDRO NUNISA SON OF KOPENDRO NUNISA RESIDENT OF VILLAGE LANGMAISA DIKRING P.O. AND P.S. DEHANGI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

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29: THANGLUDI KEMPRAI SON OF LATE THANGCHRING HAFLONGBAR RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KOTA ARDHA P.O. AND P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-78881 VERSUS DEBANON DAULAGUPU AND 5 ORS. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, N.C. HILLS AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL, HAFLONG, DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO, ASSAM, PIN - 788819

2:SANJIV SHYAM THE CHIEF ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT (EAP) FATASIL AMBARI GUWAHATI DIST. - KAMRUP (M) PIN - 781025 3:MANUJ KUMAR SAIKIA THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT HAFLONG DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM PIN - 788819 4:DEBANON DAULAGUPU PRESENTLY I/C SECRETARY AND REVENUE OFFICER (W) N.C. HILLS AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL HAFLONG DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO PIN - 788819 ASSAM 5:SRI PABAN TERAN CHIEF ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT (EAP) FATASIL AMBARI GUWAHATI DIST-KAMRUP (M)

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PIN-781025.

6:SRI PRASANTA LANGTHASA I/C EXECUTIVE ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT HAFLONG DISTRIC-DIMA HASAO ASSAM PIN-788819

Advocate for the Petitioner : MR. B BARUAH, MRS. S D DEKA

Advocate for the Respondent : MR. D NATH (R, MR D KALITA(R-7),MR. D NATH(R-5),D JAIN (R-1),MR. C SHARMA (R-1),MR R M DAS (R-1),P. NAIDING (R-1),MR D KALITA (R-2)

Linked Case : Cont.Cas(C)/280/2023

RONESH THAOSEN AND 44 ORS. SON OF LATE SUKHU THAOSEN RESIDENT OF VILLAGE KUNGKRAUWAR P.O. NASINGWARI P.S. DIYUNGMUKH DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

2: PRONESH NAIDING SON OF DINENDRO NAIDING RESIDENT OF THAIJUWARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

3: REPAINON THOUSEN SON OF LATE PALTHAMDAO THAOSEN RESIDENT OF THAIJUWARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

4: HEMOTHA THAOSEN SON OF HINDULAL THAOSEN RESIDENT OF LOWER THAIJUWARI

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DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

5: HAMSRON KEMPRAI SON OF DIHAM KEMPRAI RESIDENT OF JARAMDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

6: ANTITA HOJAI SON OF HAMPERI HOJAI RESIDENT OF RAILING HADI II DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

7: ROMILA JIDUNG SON OF MEZARMON JIDUNG RESIDENT OF VILLAGE LARGO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

8: MAINOLA JIDUNG SON OF LATE PHORENDRA JIDUNG RESIDENT OF VILLAGE THAIJUPANG P.O AND P.S. DEHANGI

DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

9: RONJOY KEMPRAI SON OF SUNDOR KEMPRAI RESIDENT OF DELAISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

10: NIKA HOJAI SON OF GOLCHARAM HOJAI RESIDENT OF GULIABRA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

11: MAITHANG HASNU

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SON OF JONTA HASNU RESIDENT OF JARAMDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

12: BONESH SENGYUNG SON OF LATE SUMIN SENGYUNG RESIDENT OF JARAMDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

13: SAMAMNTA KEMPRAI SON OF DAWANG KEMPRAI RESIDENT OF JARAMDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

14: SONDUO SENGYUNG SON OF BOROLAI SENGYUNG RESIDENT OF JARAMDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

15: THANGSRING HASNU SON OF BADUR HASNU RESIDENT OF JARAMDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

16: BIRESH THAOSEN SON OF LATE SWARING THAOSEN RESIDENT OF THAIJUWARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

17: LOBSO NAIDING SON OF DANGPEN NAIDING RESIDENT OF MAJORWARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

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18: KONEN LANGTHASA SON OF JOTIN LANGTHASA RESIDENT OF P. GERABRA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

19: RUPSING LATHASA SON OF PORNION LANGTHASA RESIDENT OF P. GERABRA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

20: DIBEN BATHARI SON OF BOSONTHA BATHARI RESIDENT OF GAJAO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

21: BOLERA KEMPRAI SON OF BOJENDRA KEMPRAI RESIDENT OF DIMADAO WAPU DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

22: DHIRONJOY NAIDING SON OF C. NAIDING RESIDENT OF NEAR HAFLONG GOVT. COLLEGE DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

23: MONILA HOJAI SON OF KUMUD HOJAI RESIDENT OF THAISALING HOWER DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

24: SOHENDRA JOHORI SON OF RINGONGSING JOHORI RESIDENT OF DIDARBI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

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25: MAINOLA JIDUNG SON OF LATE PHORENDRA JIDUNG RESIDENT OF VILLAGE THAIJUPANG P.O AND P.S. DEHANGI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

26: PONARAM NUNISA SON OF BOJENDRA NUNISA RESIDENT OF LANGMAIDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

27: SUJIT BATHARI SON OF BOSONTHO BATHARI RESIDENT OF LONGDRANGKRO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

28: SOTISH DEBRAGEDE SON OF RANGPURNO DIBRAGEDE RESIDENT OF HOJAI SONTILA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

29: THAISO HOJAI SON OF LATE TANGSON HOJAI RESIDENT OF SANTILA HOJAI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

30: JOHAM NUNISA SON OF LATE CHONDRO NUNISA RESIDENT OF GAJAO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

31: SOPOL LANTHASA SON OF SURESH LANTHASA RESIDENT OF P. KUMGKRUWARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

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32: DITESH PORBOSA SON OF THIANGMON PORBOSA RESIDENT OF LONGMAISA DIRKING DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

33: DIBARON THAOSEN SON OF BOTOLA THAOSEN RESIDENT OF LANGMAIDISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

34: THANGJEM HOJAI SON OF POIDANON HOJAI RESIDENT OF HOJAI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

35: HAMGEN HOJAI SON OF DEPOLOL HOJAI RESIDENT OF SONTILA HOJAI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

36: POLENDRA HOJAI SON OF DEPOLOL HOJAI RESIDENT OF SONTILA HOJAI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

37: ARNESH NABENSA SON OF LATE PROJANON NEBENSA RESIDENT OF THAIJUWARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

38: RUPJIT NAIDING SON OF LERDRA NAIDING RESIDENT OF LAMADISA DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM.

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PIN-788819

39: PROMOD LANGTHASA SON OF MAIKANTA LANGTHASA RESIDENT OF GURIBARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

40: DEBOJIT THAOSEN SON OF ROJEN THOUSEN RESIDENT OF P. KUNGKRUWARI DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

41: REENA KEMPRAI SON OF DIRONJOY KEMPRAI RESIDENT OF DIMADAO WAPU DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

42: SANJIT NUNISA SON OF LATE GOJENDRA NUNISA RESIDENT OF GAJAO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

43: POLIZANON HAFLONGBAR SON OF BALOSWAR HAFLONGBAR RESIDENT OF GAJAO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

44: MIRADI NUNISA SON OF LATE LOBIN NUNISA RESIDENT OF GAJAO DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819

45: KUMAR WARISA SON OF LATE SOCHINDRA WARISA RESIDENT OF N GERA P.O. NASINGWARI

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P.S. DIYUNGBRA DISTRICT-DIMA HASAO ASSAM. PIN-788819 VERSUS DEBANON DAULAGUPU AND 5 ORS. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY N.C. HILLS AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL HAFLONG DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM PIN - 788819 2:SANJIV SHYAM THE CHIEF ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT (EAP) FATASIL AMBARI GUWAHATI DIST. - KAMRUP (M) PIN - 781025 3:MANUJ KUMAR SAIKIA THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT HAFLONG DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO ASSAM PIN - 788819 4:DEBANON DAULAGUPU PRESENTLY I/C SECRETARY AND REVENUE OFFICER (W) N.C. HILLS AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL HAFLONG DISTRICT - DIMA HASAO PIN - 788819 ASSAM 5:SRI PABAN TERANG CHIEF ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT (EAP) FATASIL AMBARI GUWAHATI DIST-KAMRUP (M) PIN-781025.

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6:SRI PRASANTA LANGTHASA I/C EXECUTIVE ENGINEER PUBLIC WORKS ROAD DEPARTMENT HAFLONG

DISTRICT-DIMA HASAO ASSAM

PIN-788819.

Advocate for : MR. B BARUAH

Advocate for : MR. D NATH (R appearing for DEBANON DAULAGUPU AND 5 ORS.

BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR MEDHI

ORDER

11-08-2025

Both these two contempt cases arising out of a common judgment and order dated 01.11.2022 passed in WP(C)/6404/2022 and WP(C)/5784/2022.

The petitioners have alleged that the aforesaid directions have not been complied with.

I have heard Shri B. Baruah, learned counsel for the petitioners. I have also heard Shri C. Sarma, learned counsel for the respondent nos. 1 & 4. Shri D. Nath, learned counsel has appeared for the respondent no. 2.

At the outset, Shri Sarma, the learned counsel has submitted that though he had appeared for the respondent nos. 1 & 4, both the respondent nos. 1 & 4 have been replaced by the new incumbents who have not been made parties.

Be that as it may, on the aspect of compliance of the order in question, he has informed that the directions of this Court given in the order dated 01.11.2022 were duly complied with. He has placed before this Court, written instructions dated 28.11.2023 along with the enclosures and has contended that spot verification and assessment were made and the directions of this Court were complied with.

Shri Baruah, the learned counsel for the petitioners has however fairly submitted that though certain actions were taken and may not be construed to be strict

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compliance of the order of this Court, fresh writ petitions i.e. WP(C)/853/2025 and WP(C)/4207/2024 have been filed challenging the correctness and legality of the actions taken.

This Court in exercising contempt jurisdiction is to oversee as to whether there has been any willful and deliberate disobedience of the direction of this Court and such a course of action is required to be done as the consequences under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 is penal in nature. From the written instructions placed on record and the submissions advanced including that of the learned counsel for the petitioners, this Court is of the view that the actions taken pursuant to the order of this Court would show that there has been substantial compliance. Therefore, without commenting on the correctness and legality of such action, this Court is of the view that there is no requirement to continue with these cases.

Both the petitions are accordingly closed.

Closure of the petitions would however not cause any prejudice to the petitioners, who have instituted fresh writ petitions i.e. WP(C)/853/2025 and WP(C)/4207/2024. Written instructions along with the enclosures are made part of the records.

JUDGE

Comparing Assistant